The Custom House of Horrors!!
A 27-year-old businessman has described how what appeared to be a bargain purchase of a historic restaurant building turned into a costly and complex investment, raising questions about the condition and management of the property prior to its sale.
Liam Quigley, who at the time, had offices nearby the Custom House was a regular customer, said he had developed a friendly relationship with staff and management before being unexpectedly offered the opportunity to take over the entire building.
They allowed him to park his car in their car park, which was massively convenient as parking in the town centre, required you to move your car every 2 hours. “I initially thought the meeting was about securing a permanent parking space,” Mr Quigley said. “Instead, I was offered the whole business and building lease.” I was in complete shock. I thought they were going to sell me a car parking space for life, this is what went through my head.
The offer, made by then-manager Kieran Hart and director Robert Rollings, came as the company faced serious financial difficulties. Mr Quigley said he was informed the business was struggling with servere debts, they had fallen behind with supplier payments and owed numerous weeks of staff wages and had no means of covering them.
He agreed to acquire the operation for £18,000.00 (which included all the fixtures, fittings and everything in the building), with a lease arrangement that included an option to purchase the building after 10 years. The agreement involved monthly rent of £2,500.00, alongside quarterly payments of the same amount, contributing towards a future purchase price of £100,000.00 over the duration of the lease.
However, shortly after taking over, Mr Quigley said he discovered additional liabilities that had not been anticipated, including approximately £16,000.00 in outstanding staff wages (accumulated by Kieran/Robert), among other expenses not mentioned initially.
“When we stepped in, it became clear that the business was not sustainable in its existing form,” he said. Staffing levels were reduced, while some employees were retained and redeployed within the business, with pay increases offered in certain cases.
Mr Quigley said his company’s involvement prevented the immediate closure of the business, with the previous company (Robert Rollings) later entering liquidation. Over time, he invested an estimated £250,000.00 into refurbishing the building, including the restaurant, cocktail bar and office spaces. However, he claims the scale of structural and maintenance issues became apparent only after the takeover.
Among the concerns he identified were electrical systems that had not been tested for several years, fire safety systems that were not fully operational, and a persistent odour traced to a sewage issue in the basement, which required significant repair work costing tens of thousands. “There were ongoing challenges with the building,” he said, noting recurring flooding in the basement, damp conditions, and the need for continual maintenance.
He added that the odour, which he described as recurring during warmer months, had also been noted by customers in reviews.
The property, believed to be around 250 years old and subject to heritage preservation requirements, also required specialist upkeep, including repairs using period-appropriate materials and regular external maintenance. Annual costs associated with the building included business rates of approximately £19,000.00 per year, alongside ongoing repair and compliance expenses. Every 10 years, the building is required to be painted at a cost close to £100,000.00.
Mr Quigley also described difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions impacted the use of the premises. He said rent levels were increased during this period despite reduced operations.
A dispute has since arisen between Mr Quigley and the landlord, which is currently the subject of legal proceedings.
Mr Quigley alleges he was unfairly evicted from the premises and has stated that several solicitors advised him the notice period provided, the TORT notice was abused and was not sufficient. These claims have not yet been tested in court.
Mr Quigley further claims he is owed more than £100,000.00 in equipment and associated costs. The matter remains ongoing before the courts.
He has also raised concerns about safety issues within the building, stating that these have been reported to local fire authorities and various other government bodies such as the local council.
Mr Quigley has urged caution for any prospective future buyers or tenants of the property, advising that thorough inspections be carried out, particularly in relation to the basement flooding (yearly), drainage systems and building infrastructure and the electrical systems, which were previously quoted at over £150,000.00 to make legal.
Robert Rollings was contacted for a comment but to date, no answer has been received. Mr Quigley thinks the Custom House unfortunately will just sit and rot - the building is falling to bits and requires significant investment to bring it to legal standards.
He also warns future buyers to be aware of the issues before purchasing, such as the mysterious yearly smell, hidden costs, the yearly flooding of the basement, electrics, the rotting roof, leaking constantly and all other issues.
Liam Quigley has also received numerous abusive and disturbing messages from the public and previous staff members, some even telling him to end his life, and the abuse continues to this day. It highlights how people are often quick to judge without understanding the full situation.
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