The troubled Darling Harbor Restaurant chain may reopen one of its outlets at the end of this month after being shut down in May by financial problems.

The landlord of the chain's Hongqiao location said that, after two months of negotiation, he has agreed to let the restaurant start serving food again if the owner can pay about 2 million yuan (US$240,964) in back rent before July 15.

So far, 400,000 yuan has been received, according to Han Chunli, who represents the landlord.

'But if owner You Chen fails to do as promised, we will terminate his contract,' said Han.

The hongqiao outlet is located in the Far East International Plaza on Xianxia Road in Changning District.

After the chain was shut down on May 8, it was accused of owing employees about 5 million yuan in wages and four landlords nearly 8 million yuan in rent.

In addition, food suppliers said they were owed nearly 5 million yuan, and customers who bought VIP cards claimed they had lost 8 million yuan.

Some of the customers and landlords have filed lawsuits against You to recover their money.

If the Hongqiao outlet is reopened, You said the VIP cards will still be valid.

The restaurant's other three landlords, in Luwan and Jing'an districts and Pudong New Area, said they won't continue doing business with You.

2005/07/02
Source: Shanghai Daily