A Southend nightclub has gone into liquidation owing thousands of pounds to creditors.

Fulcross Consultants, the company behind the Palace Ballroom venue on the ground floor of Palace Hotel in Pier Hill, has been voluntarily wound up following an extraordinary meeting of members and creditors.

The resolution on the winding-up order was signed by Southend club promoter Ms Alexis Billson. News of the liquidation was confirmed by Mehmet Arkin, of Hertfordshire-based liquidator Arkin and Co.

The amount owed by Ms Billson, who lives in Chelsea, is believed to be thousands of pounds. The club has been dogged with problems for the past year and last November the previous promoter Scott Haspineall went bust with his company Grand Ballroom, owing more than £500,000.

Ms Billson took over the lease and launched her new club nights, Swim. Attendances were patchy and events were regularly cancelled.

In July Ms Billson and her staff were locked out of the Palace Hotel by the owner of the building, John Christodolou. At the time she denied she owed rent. Days earlier she had been taken to court accused of breaking a noise abatement order served by the Southend Council, following complaints of excessive noise from residents at the hotel.

Mehmet Arkin, of Arkin and Co, said: "We can confirm we are acting as the liquidator for Fullcross Consultants Limited. As to the amount owed and details of the winding-up, I cannot comment any further.

"Only creditors and member of the company are allowed to know that kind of information."

Ms Billson was unavailable for comment.

Published Monday October 14, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo