Caterer's collapse closes museum cafes

Two Dublin museums are seeking alternative catering arrangements following the unexpected closure of Cooke's Event Company.

Management at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and the National Museum at Collins Barracks were told on Monday the company, owned by chef John Cooke, had ceased trading.

An IMMA spokeswoman said it hoped to have alternative temporary catering in place for this Saturday. She added that the catering contract would be put out to tender.

An IMMA representative will be attending a creditors' meeting for the liquidated company in two weeks' time.

Mr Seamus Lynam, head of services at the National Museum of Modern Art, said legal advice was being taken.

However, he said the museum was in a "break-even" position with Cooke's and that the contract would have expired at the end of this month. Cooke's had provided catering services at the site for three years.

He said the museum has developed a larger catering and restaurant facility that is expected to open in early May. The museum advertised for tenders to run the new cafe last week.

Cooke's Event Company could not be contacted today for comment.