ONE of Barnsley’s top restaurants closed with debts of more than £60,000.

Armstrongs, on Dodworth Road, went into voluntary liquidation last month with the tax man and Barnsley council on its list of creditors.

A statement of affairs filed at Companies House reveals the council is owed £7,600 and there was unpaid VAT bill of £5,000.

Almost £40,000 was outstanding from directors’ loan accounts and HSBC bank is owed £12,000. Armstrongs was owned by brothers Christopher and Martin Pick, who took over the established business from Rob and Liz Crookes about two years ago.

When it suddenly closed before Christmas a number of customers were let down, including a couple who were left with only a couple of days to find a new venue for their wedding reception.

The former Armstrongs building has been taken over by chef Carey Brown, who is reopening as the Limes. Mr Brown is in no-way connected with Armstrongs.