The supermarket formerly owned by Ryan Schembri, More Supermarket at Daniel’s Shopping complex in Hamrun, this morning remained closed, as Enemalta Corporation yesterday cut off the power supply due to pending bills, Times of Malta has learnt.

Sources said that the corporation demanded an immediate payment of some €50,000, to cover the arrears in utility bills.

As the supermarket was not in a position to pay, operations at the Hamrun branch were suspended. The Żebbuġ branch is still open for business, with the electricity being provided by a generator.

The same sources said that the supermarket chain, which currently employs some 150 people, was undergoing a restructuring process, as it had been run on an “unsustainable” model.

Nevertheless it was still facing a “bleak future”.

Until last May, one of the partners in the supermarket was Mr Schembri, of Cassar and Schembri (Marketing) Ltd, who last month fled the island together with his family as he was being threatened by loan sharks.

Mr Schembri, a leading meat importer, is also being sought by police after running into serious financial problems with investors and suppliers.

Local entrepreneurs say he owes different investors a total of some €40 million.

 

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