A CELEBRITY chef who had his flagship restaurant in the Ribble Valley claims he has paid a VAT bill which led to him being taken to court.

Paul Heathcote MBE, 43, appeared before magistrates last week after HMRC said he had failed to pay a £25,000 bill which related to an assurance or security over the payment of VAT.

The case was adjourned after District Judge Goodwin ordered a meeting to take place between Mr Heathcote and his representatives and HMRC.

Speaking yesterday afternoon, Mr Heathcote said: “It was a technicality over a bond payment, but it is a bond payment we have made and that HMRC haven’t registered.

“We’ve been asking for a meeting with them for 16 months and now the judge has asked for one to take place.

“Our VAT has always has been paid on time. It has never been an issue for us. “We’re confident that once the meeting takes place the issue will be resolved and that will be the end of the matter.”

The case at Preston Magistrates’ Court centred on the fact that Mr Heathcote had continued to provide goods and services subject to VAT even though the surety payment hadn’t been made.

The charges related to Mr Heathcote as an individual, and then for his Heathcotes Brasserie restaurant in Preston, and also his restaurant in Higher Road, Longridge.

His Longridge restaurant was the first in Mr Heathcote’s empire, opening in 1990 when he was 29.

He has since won Michelin Stars, Catey Awards and the Egon Ronay Chef of the Year award.

In 2012, he decided to close his Longridge restaurant.