A WELL-KNOWN restaurant in Penarth has closed down and is preparing to go into liquidation, according to a Cardiff insolvency firm.

Pier 64 Limited, in Penarth Marina, ceased trading on January 2 this year. The restaurant, which describes itself as a premier restaurant, wine bar and steakhouse, first opened in 2011.

At the moment the restaurant’s website says it is “currently closed for refurbishment” and will “reopen again on January 23, 2019.”

However, Cardiff insolvency firm Begbies Traynor, acting for Pier 64 Ltd, has confirmed the business is closed and will not be reopening.

A spokeswoman from Begbies Traynor said: “Pier 64 Limited ceased trading on January 2, 2019. Huw Powell and David Hill of Begbies Traynor in Cardiff have been appointed to assist with the process of placing the company into liquidation, which is due to occur on January 14.”

The restaurant was first opened by restaurant owner Francis Dupuy in July 2011 and was taken over by former Wales footballer Craig Bellamy in the autumn of 2014.

Speaking to the Penarth Times in 2015 after the launch of a new menu, Mr Bellamy said: “Pier64 was always ‘almost’ the best restaurant in Cardiff, but it was always trying to be something it was not.

“This is why I could not wait to get my hands on it. We are now embarking on an exciting new era for the restaurant where it evolves (back) into what it says on the tin, a wine bar and steak house. We’ve engaged with a fantastic interior designer and we charged them with the task of making an actual wine bar out for the bar, perfect for that quick after-work glass of wine and indeed a cracking steak.”

The restaurant has seen many celebrities come to dine.

There has been some recent controversy with Mr Bellamy as the Cardiff City under-18s coach is being investigated following a complaint of bullying. However, he has “categorically” denied a claim of bullying and has vowed to clear his name.

Pier 64 Limited was contacted for comment regarding its closure.