Benjamin Wiles and Phil Dakin of Kroll Advisory secured the sale of the Ancoats restaurant, pizzeria and music venue to Caspertron Ltd, saving over 120 jobs, following their appointment by Swan Street Firehouse Ltd.
Caspertron Ltd is a newly-incorporated company that’s led by Joel Wilkinson, Adelaide Winter and Dan Mullen, who opened Detroit-style pizzeria and margarita bar Ramona in 2020 and The Firehouse restaurant and bar next door to it in 2021.
The trio are also behind DieCast, a 5,000-capacity entertainment destination that launched in Manchester’s Piccadilly in 2023.
Kroll Advisory said the business had faced financial difficulties, accruing significant liabilities to its creditors, and was subject to a winding up petition from HMRC, despite forward bookings and trends pointing to a positive future for the business.
The directors made an application to Court for an Administration Order, giving protection against the winding up petition and the risk of the business ceasing to trade immediately.
Christie & Co were engaged by Kroll Advisory to manage the marketing process.
“We’re glad to have secured the best outcome possible for The Firehouse Manchester and Ramona and its staff,” Wiles said.
“It’s a popular venue and it would have been a shame to see it close, particularly given how many bookings it has lined up. I’m particularly happy to have been able to secure the jobs of the over 120 people who work there and look forward to seeing the business continue to grow.”
MCA, Restaurant’s sister site, reports that the Ramona and The Firehouse teams have been transferred to Caspertron Ltd under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) regulations, with no changes to their roles, salaries, benefits, or employment terms.
The leadership team, management structure, and ownership remain exactly the same.
In a statement, Wilkinson, Winter and Mullen said: “This transition marks a really important moment for us – not just as business owners, but as people who care deeply about the teams, culture and communities that make Ramona and The Firehouse what they are.
“We’ve built these spaces with a huge amount of love, and while the last year has been tough for hospitality across the UK, we knew we had to act to protect what matters most: our people and our presence in this city.
“This change gives us the stability we need to grow – to keep creating, keep employing, and keep contributing to Manchester’s incredible independent scene. We’re here for the long run, and we’re more energised than ever to build what’s next.”