Liquidators confident of Hallam's sale to ensure employees get entitlements

Deloitte Australia was appointed liquidator after the Federal Court wound up the owner of Hallam's - Salisbury Hallam Pty Ltd - earlier this month with the company owing $689,000 to the Australian Taxation Office.

The restaurant is still operating as normal as liquidators attempt to recoup funds.

Liquidator Steven Hernyk said the public should be aware that the restaurant continues to trade.

"Liquidation, by connotation, is that it's basically closing down, but that's not the case here. The business is continuing as a going concern," he said.

MORE ON HALLAM'S ATO PROCEEDINGS:

"From an employee point of view - there are 16 employees - they are subject to the Fair Entitlements Guarantee which ensures all employees are paid for their outstanding entitlements."

The date for expressions of interest from buyers closed on Wednesday.

Mr Hernyk said there were some promising expressions of interest and there was "ongoing dialogue" with interested parties.

"We're confident that there'll be a sale," he said.

A notice to creditors, including suppliers to the restaurant, is expected to be sent out next week as the liquidator continues to gather information. The amount owing to other creditors is yet to be determined and a creditors meeting will be arranged.

The amount that flows to creditors could be dependent on the sale figure for the restaurant, which was advertised as a vacant possession.

It was the first time the restaurant had been advertised for sale in 32 years.

During the Federal Court proceedings, lawyer for Hallams's Mark Doyle estimated the restaurant could sell for between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Counsel for the deputy Commissioner of Taxation, David Wilson, told the court there was no certainty the proceeds of the sale would cover the debt.

Given the status of the liquidation, Salisbury Hallam was unavailable for comment.