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L’Ambasciatore restaurant in Basel city center was in full swing until the beginning of January. Since then the doors have been closed. Basel is surprised, host Mohran Jouini (37) bewildered: “A signature is missing to reopen our restaurant. But the host refuses.”
This refers to the federal government, which entered into a long-term contract with Jouini in the fall of 2020. The restorer invested almost 700,000 francs in the new restaurant – successfully: the restaurant was full every evening.
“The federal government, more than anyone else, was unwilling to make concessions as a landowner”
Then came the second wave of corona and a new pickling lockdown. The Federal Council generously promised assistance in the form of emergency loans and hardship compensation. He also urged property owners to make concessions on rent.
In Basel, the tenants, landlords and canton shared the costs. Mohran Jouini also paid only a third of the rent for L’Ambasciatore, which was closed. But the responsible Federal Building and Logistics Office (BBL) didn’t want to know anything about the rent reduction. “The federal government, of all people, was not willing to make concessions as a host,” says Jouini. “But we can’t do that.”
The restorer called Ronald Wölfli, property manager at BBL. But the official insisted on full rent. Jouini couldn’t pay for it. Seven months later, Wolfli sent him the notice.
Restaurant showered with awards and prizes
But the office wasn’t expecting Jouini’s clients. He campaigned for the restaurant to stay. Leading politicians, including the Basel government councilor, intervened BBL director Pierre Broye (59). Then the turning point: the office retracted the notice. BBL explained to SonntagsBlick: “The termination took place only when the tenant did not respond to several offers of cooperation from BBL. At the tenant’s request, the termination was later withdrawn as a final attempt to find an amicable settlement.”
L’Ambasciatore has reopened its doors. And it ran as smoothly as before. Rewards rained down, including 14 Gault Millau points.
Management error fatal
But then Jouini gets caught in an administrative error. At the beginning of 2023, he learned that the company where he runs the restaurant is on the verge of bankruptcy. Not for financial reasons, but because the company and restaurant addresses do not match. The commercial registry office noticed this by accident and notified the company in writing. But the office sent the letter to his old address. And because it was court correspondence, the post office did not forward the letter, sent it back to the office.
This did what the protocol stipulated in the case of supposedly lost legal residence: it filed for liquidation. Since Jouini did not know this, he could not intervene. When he finally finds out, it’s too late. “The company will go bankrupt for official reasons,” says Jouini.
Therefore, with the approval of the Basel bankruptcy office, he transferred the restaurant contracts to another company. It is owned by his wife but is commercially independent. “We could have run L’Ambasciatore’s operation smoothly,” says Jouini.
No new lease agreement
Had – because a central contract is missing: BBL’s Ronald Wölfli refuses a new lease with Jouini’s wife’s company. To eliminate any uncertainty, Wölfli offers guarantees and a high deposit, even a trial contract. However, Wolfli refuses. Nor is he responding to another entrepreneur’s offer to take over the restaurant. At the end of January 2023, Jouini is due to close L’Ambasciatore.
In March, Jouini’s lawyer, a Basel SVP councilor, wrote a letter to Wölfli. His reply was short: “Unfortunately, we did not know Mr. Jouini as you describe. Based on our experience, we avoid entering into a new lease with someone close to Mr. Jouini.»
The case finally ends at the desk of Peter Schhrender, 62, deputy director of the Federal Department of Finance, to which FOBL belongs. This time, however, BBL Director Broyer stands in front of property manager Wölfli and is victorious. No new leases.
Confederation misses 18,000 CHF monthly income
Since January, the restaurant L’Ambasciatore has lost 600,000 francs in sales. Jouini’s investments of 700,000 francs are idle. 14 employees are on the RAV. Suppliers no longer take orders. And the federal government is missing out on the monthly rent of 18,000 francs. Since bankruptcy proceedings will take at least a year, it must exceed a quarter of a million francs.
“The restaurant could open tomorrow if the federal government signs the lease,” says Jouini. He emphasizes that he works hard, has a good reputation and is a Basel-based business graduate. “The accusation that I am not trustworthy is untenable.” There’s another reason for the drama: “Ronald Wolfli probably couldn’t cope with the fact that he had to reverse the layoff after he intervened from above during the pandemic. But not because we had to shut it down because of an offended official.”
BBL says: “Ronald Wölfli did his job taking into account the characteristics of his employer, BBL.”
Jouini shakes hands with Wolfli again. “We have to find a solution,” says the landlord. “For the benefit of 14 employees.”
Source :Blick
I’m Tim David and I work as an author for 24 Instant News, covering the Market section. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, my mission is to provide accurate, timely and insightful news coverage that helps our readers stay informed about the latest trends in the market. My writing style is focused on making complex economic topics easy to understand for everyone.
