ONE of Ipswich's top restaurants has closed after its parent company was placed into liquidation, it can be revealed today.

ONE of Ipswich's top restaurants has closed after its parent company was placed into liquidation, it can be revealed today.

As revealed in The Evening Star earlier last week(on 29.4), the Vanilla Pod, in Orwell Place, shut suddenly, leaving one customer �300 out of pocket.

It has since emerged that the eatery's owners, Tindall Restaurants Ltd, has been wound up under the Insolvency Act.

Company director Jonathan Tindall was unavailable for comment today.

While it is unclear whether Vanilla Pod's demise was the result of the current downturn, news of the restaurant's closure will come as a blow to the town at a time when businesses are fighting the effects of deep recession.

It is unclear whether Tindall Restaurants Ltd has any other establishments in its portfolio, although it is believed it previously had links to the Chelmsford area.

Vanilla Pod, formerly Scotts Bar and Brasserie, has long been considered one of Ipswich's most exclusive restaurants, boasting “an exciting dining experience, with an extensive modern menu”.

The closure has been difficult to swallow for would-be customer Susan Clarke, who paid a �300 deposit towards a booking for her mother's 70th birthday celebration.

She and her family had planned to visit the restaurant on May 15, when soul singer Irie J was due to perform to diners.

Mrs Clarke told the Star she was not expecting to recoup any of the deposit, adding: “I tried to phone the restaurant but the number won't accept incoming calls. Now we don't know what's happening.”

No one from the restaurant or Tindall Restaurants Ltd was available for comment.

Have you been affected by the closure? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk