Bar, restaurant man adjudged bankrupt

Sander Kersjes had bought into the bar and restaurant business in Hawke's Bay in 2013. Photo / Thinkstock

A Hawke's Bay entrepreneur has been adjudged bankrupt in the latest outfall from the collapse of businesses he used in a dramatic rise-and-fall buy-up of bars and restaurants in Hastings, Napier and Havelock North.

The application against Sander Kersjes, also known as Alex Kersjes, was not contested and was granted by Associate Judge Warwick Smith yesterday in the High Court in Napier.

There was no appearance by, or for, Mr Kersjes, while barrister Tony Snell appeared briefly on instructions for lawyers for the applicants, wholesale suppliers Toops.

Mr Kersjes said last night that, as far as he was aware the matter, and the debt involved in the related judgment made in the Hastings District Court in November, were still to be resolved, and he was not aware of yesterday's action.

Asked if he is still involved in business, he said: "I'm still working. I'm not on a benefit."

Mr Kersjes had bought into the bar and restaurant business in Hawke's Bay in 2013, and acquired Turks Bar in Havelock North, The Peak restaurant, which he reopened at Te Mata Peak, Hastings' Corn Exchange (which he renamed the Corn and Cow), and The Dutch, at The Bluewater, in Ahuriri.

His company, Why Hospitality Ltd, which advertised in 2013 it had bought Turks, The Peak and the Corn Exchange and planned to reinvent the businesses and get into event management, was placed in liquidation in April last year, as was subsidiary BBC Hospitality, with which Mr Kersjes had bought The Dutch.

The businesses have since been dispersed by liquidators, with bars and restaurants on the respective premises under new management.

The bankruptcy followed a judgment against Mr Kersjes obtained by Toops Wholesalers Ltd in the Hastings District Court in November.