The future of a top Maidstone night spot has been thrown into doubt after the company behind it was hit by “cash-flow problems”.

Administrator Deloitte has moved in to run Chicago Rock Cafe amid confirmed reports that the doors had closed on the High Street operation and staff laid off.

The accountancy giant was called in by Chicago Rock Cafe owner, Atmosphere Bars and Clubs.

The Milton Keynes firm has a portfolio of 24 outlets across England and Wales, employing 75 full-time and 418 part-time staff.

Joint administrator and partner at Deloitte, Daniel Butters, said: “Unfortunately, as a consequence of cash-flow problems, the decision was taken by the directors of Atmosphere Bars and Clubs to place the company into administration.

“We are continuing to seek a sale.”

Despite earlier hopes that all venues would remain open, two full-time and 12 flexible staff at the Maidstone branch were officially made redundant on Thursday.

One man, who asked not to be named, told the KM that his stepdaughter was told she no longer had a job on Monday.

He said: “She’s been made redundant. Everybody’s gone, they’ve got rid of all of them.

“Today a load of paperwork came through the post to fill her in about the redundancy because the firm’s gone into administration.”

Atmosphere Bars and Clubs refused to comment, and referred the KM to Deloitte.