Cipriani London goes into administration

Cipriani London, the Italian restaurant frequented by celebrities including Sir Elton John and Naomi Campbell, has gone into administration.   In a statement, the Cipriani family said that Cipriani London, W1, had filed for administration “to protect its assets”.   Ian Franses Associates has been appointed administrators and Davis Coffer Lyons has been appointed to value the restaurant.   Cipriani London will continue to trade but under a new name by 24 April after the family lost a legal battle with Orient-Express Hotels, owners of the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, over the Cipriani trademark earlier this month.   The Cipriani family was forced to pay £1.57m after a decision by the High Court in favour of the Venetian hotel.   Mr Justice Briggs also ordered Cipriani International SA of Luxembourg, the parent company of the Cipriani London, to pay the Orient-Express hotel £6.07m on account of profits made from trading under the Cipriani name, and ordered for the group’s assets worldwide to be frozen.   The Cipriani family said in a statement: “Cipriani (Grosvenor Street) Ltd, a successful enterprise free of any debt outside the liabilities resulting from the Orient-Express Hotel litigation, is filing for administration to protect its assets.”   “The administration process will continue while the company pursues any appeal to the Supreme Court in the UK litigation and trademark dispute against Orient Express Hotels at OHIM, the Office of Harmonization in the Internal Market (EU).   “Service will continue as usual at our renowned London restaurant, which will operate under a new name by April 24. Operations around the world remain unaffected.” annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com