A well-known bankrupt restauranteur got down on his knees and begged for more time to pay a £15,000 debt, the man chasing him for cash has said.

Southampton's outgoing Kuti Miah - known for his time at the helm of the restaurant bearing his name at the Royal Pier - is being pursued over an unpaid bill for refurbishing the Grade II listed building's exterior and interior.

Painter and decorator Wayne Holbrook runs Design Dec and was contracted by Mr Miah in 2021 for the spruce up at Kuti's Brasserie.

But Wayne said that what has followed has been nearly four years of chasing payments, which now with interest and legal costs add up to more than £25,000.

The tradesman - who said Mr Miah had run up an initial £15,000 bill - said: “The whole process has been horrible.

“I want to receive my monies for the cost of my labour and materials. It is all expense for me.

“My advice would be to not get involved with Kuti. Stay away and do not believe the promises he makes.”

Bankrupt restauranteur Kuti Miah failed to pay Wayne Holbrook, pictured, £15,000 for work on Kuti's Brasserie in 2021Bankrupt restauranteur Kuti Miah failed to pay Wayne Holbrook, pictured, £15,000 for work on Kuti's Brasserie in 2021 (Image: Newsquest) Wayne resorted to knocking on Mr Miah’s door to demand the money but "he got down on his knees and begged me for more time," Wayne said.

He filed a civil claim against him on May 3, 2023 at Southampton County Court.

Over a year later on August 23, 2024, Mr Miah petitioned for bankruptcy just before he was ordered to pay £20,000 in a separate case for interest on loans.

In his claim, Wayne said Mr Miah made “continuous promises” to settle but these were never kept.

The total money claimed by Wayne is £15,228.83, with £3,000 legal costs, a £700 court cost and interest amounting to around £6,400.

At county court on Friday, District Judge Goodfellow told Wayne that Mr Miah has been made bankrupt, therefore he does “not legally exist”.

She said: “The route to getting your money back is through the bankruptcy team.

“The process will not go any further in the county court.”

Mr Miah did not appear at court.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Holbrook described Mr Miah’s actions as “legalised robbery”.

He said: “With around £3,000 spent on legal fees, I am now owed more than £19,000.

“My experience stands as a warning to other small companies to not get involved with Kuti.

“My business has taken a hit by him not paying and it has been a struggle.

“We are very lucky this financial situation did not make us go bust, but I feel so sorry for other businesses he owes."

Wayne is hoping to claw back some of the cash, either from Mr Miah or via the bankruptcy.