The future of Momma Cherri's is hanging in the balance.

The restaurant, in Little East Street, Brighton, made famous by TV chef Gordon Ramsay, has been shut since Tuesday after administrators moved in, told staff to leave and changed the locks.

Momma Cherri Ltd went into administration a year ago but it was being run under licence by a company called American Soul Food Ltd, set up by Katryna Thomas-Shell, the daughter of Momma Cherri – real name Charita Jones.

Despite sinking at least £45,000 of her own money into the venture, Miss Thomas-Shell could not afford to keep paying administrators Baker Tilly, resulting in Tuesday's closure.

But yesterday both Miss Thomas-Shell and Mrs Jones looked to reassure customers the restaurant will be back open within days.

They said businessman Terrance King has agreed to make a substantial investment through his company, Beds In Brighton, and will take Momma Cherri Ltd out of administration.

He said: “Momma Cherri is an iconic brand in Brighton and it would be an incredible shame if it were to be lost.”

However, Mr King admitted the deal depends on the agreement of the restaurant's landlord and that they are trying to negotiate a rent reduction.

A spokeswoman for Baker Tilly added that, although Mr King had been in contact, they had yet to receive a formal offer for Momma Cherri Ltd.

Despite the uncertainty, Mrs Jones is confident the deal will go through and plans to re-open on Friday (07/08).

She said: “Over the years I have become a Brighton institution and I'm going to stay that way.”

Both Mrs Jones and her daughter plant to remain at the restaurant, though they will concentrate on the catering and promotion side rather than the business side.

Even if the deal goes ahead, the restaurant will only open at weekends.

Mr King said: “The restaurant has the ability to be very successful and a lot of people come to the city especially to eat there. The problem was that no one was going during the week.”

Miss Thomas-Shell said she was disappointed that her efforts to run the business did not work out but she added that no suppliers or staff have been left out of pocket.

She said: “I knew when I did this it would be a calculated risk. But I have taken the financial hit. I still believe this is a viable business and believe in the brand and in my mother.”

Miss Thomas-Shell said was forced to sell her flat to keep the restaurant open and paid staff their last week's wages out of her own pocket.

All 18 part and full-time staff have been offered jobs under the new management should the deal go ahead.

Miss Thomas-Shell said: “Although we will only be open at weekends there is still a lot to do during the week such as stock taking so there will always be extra hours available.”

Several diners have been left disappointed with the sudden closure of Momma Cherri's.

Stuart Lawrence, of Summerhill Avenue, in Hove, booked a table for 18 friends for last night to mark the start of the Pride weekend.

He said: “I'm a bit shocked that it's happened. It is also quite annoying that I have left five messages asking them to confirm the table but no one has got back to me.

“I probably will go back when its under new management but I will be in no rush. There are lots of other restaurants in Brighton and it's no longer in my top three.”

ends