THE future of Swansea's No Sign Bar and two other businesses is secure despite the company that had been running them facing bankruptcy.

Wind Street landmark the No Sign Bar was thought to be in jeopardy after a petition of bankruptcy was made against its holding company Seven Leisure Wales last May.

Call centre Seven Marketing on Adelaide Street and soon to open Wind Street chip shop Rabaiotti's were also both businesses working under Seven Leisure through directors Mark Hartson, Robert Cook and Neil Mainwairing.

But Mr Hartson has now dismissed any fears surrounding the three businesses.

Mr Hartson said: "The fact is we are not going bust.

"No Sign Bar has been signed over to a new company run by three new directors, so has the chip shop and the call centre.

"No Sign Bar is not affected by the bankruptcy petition, neither is the call centre or chip shop."

Mark Hartson was due to appear before Swansea County Court on December 17 for an insolvency case where bankruptcy could have been declared. That hearing was adjourned until later this month when directors at Seven Leisure Wales are expected to announce an agreed repayment plan with creditors.

"We have agreed a Individual Voluntary Arrangement over three years which creditors are satisfied with," said Mr Hartson.

"It would have been easy to declare bankruptcy but I think its important from a moral point of view to pay back the money."

The new parent company under which No Sign Bar will operate is called 2 Leisure UK and is run by three new directors which include Mark's wife Joanne Hartson.

"There is no doubt that the recession has had a massive effect," he said.

"That is one of the main reasons for the bankruptcy petition. But I should stress that we have survived and we are looking forward.

"At the No Sign Bar our revenue is up by 40 per cent on last year and the brewery is very happy with us."

Last year Seven Leisure Wales was also embroiled in a row with a housing association which cost the company a city centre business.

Bar 7 on Wind Street moved from next to the Ask restaurant into a new, larger base that currently houses the Peppermint bar, after agreeing a deal with pub chain Marston's.

But a row erupted over the lease, with Coastal Housing, which owned the site, arguing that the property had been sublet to Bar 7 without it being consulted. It also claimed there had been complaints about noise.

Subsequently the Seven Leisure Wales pub was forced out with the loss of 20 jobs.

"Coastal Housing really put the final nail in our coffin," said Mr Hartson.

"We were bringing in £20,000 a week from Bar 7, losing that revenue was a massive blow. But despite all that the message is clear, it is a case of business as usual."

A spokeswoman for Coastal Housing said: "It is always sad when a business closes, but Coastal Housing is in no way responsible for the demise of Mark Hartson's business."

sion.morgan@swwmedia.co.uk.