Shanghai Rendezvous set for liquidators.

Dec 4 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

SHANGHAI Rendezvous looks set for liquidation.

Inland Revenue officers have made a court application for the business to be wound down and liquidators appointed.

The petition was presented at Hamilton Sheriff Court (the town where Shanghai Rendezvous head office is based) on November 17.

Any creditors are urged to get in contact with the court immediately.

The Chinese buffet restaurant is no stranger to the headlines.

In April last year, owner Dian Cai claimed a dirty tricks campaign was ruining his business. He said rumours of seagulls and guinea pigs being served in the curries were sweeping the town.

Then in October 2008, Gordon Jowett, 39, admitted stabbing Mr Cai yards from the restaurant in January the previous year.

Earlier this year, the UK border agency raided the Beresford Terrace eatery and found five illegal immigrants working there.

Owner Mr Cai was fined thousands of pounds and the alcoholic drinks licence, held by Mr Cai’s wife Yuanhong, was suspended for a month.

But weeks later he raised a civil action against the Home Secretary claiming that the people were visiting staff and weren’t employed at Shanghai Rendezvous.

Then in August this year, Mr Cai was declared bankrupt.

Mr Cai was unavailable for comment.