'REMOVAL vans and suppliers' have been spotted outside a restaurant that closed when its owner was evicted.
The Gin & Olive was booted out from its site in Above Bar Street after failing to pay a six-figure sum, say solicitors. The owners dispute this.
Staff found out they had lost their jobs when an eviction notice was slapped on the doors.
Former employee Gareth Elliott was walking through Southampton on Thursday when he saw removal lorries outside the restaurant.
The 44-year-old went to investigate when he spotted what was going on.
READ MORE: Shock as Gin & Olive staff left jobless
He said: "I was in town today and saw people there so went to see what was going on.
"I saw a couple of suppliers trying to get their stuff back."
Gareth, who says he is still awaiting outstanding pay, described seeing security guards and the landlord.
He said: "I just want some closure. It just seems really weird. Really strange.
"I feel disappointed."
The Millbrook man who worked at Gin and Olive for about eight months, added: "One day I had a job and then the next day there was a notice on the door.
"You don't really need that just before Christmas. I've got four kids and a mortgage."
As reported by the Daily Echo, the eatery closed after "failing to pay rent and service charges".
READ MORE: Customers react with shock after Gin & Olive eviction notice
However, Anthony Ferreira, who co-ran the restaurant with his partner Ruth Wallis, said they closed over a dispute about the building's cladding.
Around 30 people were left with no weekly income after the site shut in November.
Waitresses vented their anger saying that Anthony had 'thrown them under the bus".
Others complained they had not been paid.
Landlord, Harborne Holdings Limited previously instructed lawyers, Maples Teesdale, to forfeit the lease and secure the premises.
A statement from the firm expressed its sympathy to all staff at the restaurant who were affected.
It said Gin & Olive had failed to pay any rent or service charge since February 2021.
Meanwhile, Mr Ferreira claimed the building was unsafe due to a cladding issue.
The Daily Echo has contacted him for comment but is still awaiting a response.
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