A GOLF club has promised to honour party bookings following a contractual dispute with the catering and bar manager, who left suddenly.

The chairman at Vivary Golf Club claims former franchisee Dave Willis owes up to £14,000.

Mr Willis says he was simply not making enough money to cover his costs.

Chairman Bob Stout said Mr Willis was contracted to pay the club £1,000 plus VAT monthly, as well as three-quarters of utility bills.

"He owed us lots money, so we demanded payment, gave him a deadline and he left," said Mr Stout.

"We reckon he owes between £10,000 and £14,000.

"He took deposits for functions, weddings and parties, but we didn't get the money.

"We're honouring bookings and have also spent about £5,000 putting the kitchen back.

"We took over everything he had here, such as fridges, which mitigated his bill towards us."

The private club, which has around 200 members, has now taken over its own bar and catering management and employed three staff.

Mr Willis, 55, who lives in Wiveliscombe, said the club terminated his contract in February.

"I never profited from anything," added Mr Willis, who was recently evicted from his Taunton home for not paying rent.

"Any spare money went to the club - I didn't take the deposits for myself.

"The club took all my equipment, which is worth five figures, to pay off all the outstanding money.

"I worked 100 hours some weeks and never took extra pay.

"The problem was it wasn't making enough money and there was nothing else to give them."

6:59pm Friday 9th May 2008

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