Camile Thai UK enters liquidation

Robert Young and Chris Tate of Azets in Southampton have been appointed join liquidators of Camile Thai Kitchen (UK) Ltd and Camile Thai Franchise (UK) Limited.

The Ireland-headquartered group previously operated six sites in the UK based in suburban London and Surrey locations including Battersea, Balham, Epsom, Barnes, Romford and Clapham.

All of these appear to have closed except Clapham.

According to a statement of affairs, the UK business had liabilities of £4.6m, with some £2.9m owed to parent company Camile Thai Kitchen Limited (Ireland).

The wider group still operates some 42 sites across Ireland, which are unaffected.

In 2021, founder Brody Sweeney outlined plans to more than double the delivery-focussed brand’s six-strong UK mainland estate.

Sweeney told ​​MCA​​, ​Restaurant​'s sister site, at the time: “We think there is an opportunity to build a nationwide chain of high-end, Thai home delivery-focused restaurants.

“We think we could build a Domino’s for Thai food.”

He also talked of his plans to fulfil last mile delivery via drone, with ambitions to deliver 70% of orders by air.

“London would be a little bit difficult because you wouldn’t want to drop food into a public space and it would be difficult to deliver to the 11th floor of an apartment block,” Sweeney said.

“It’s suited to suburbia, and that’s our sweet spot.

“We’re not just doing this for the hype, we’re going through the process of getting it licensed properly. It won’t be rolled out this year, but we’re very optimistic for next year.

“It’s all about trying to do a better job of getting to food to consumers quicker, hotter, and at a better quality.”