A council is trying to recover £200,000 in unpaid business rates, liquidators appointed for the company behind four Norwich nightlife venues have said.

Joint provisional liquidators have been appointed for Code Red Promotions, which owns Mercy nightclub, Flaunt, Lace and Rocco's, all on Prince of Wales Road.

The liquidators, Moore Stephens, confirmed they were appointed by the High Court under the Insolvency Act on February 15.

'The appointment was coupled with a winding up petition presented by Norwich City Council for non-payment of business rates in excess of £200,000,' a spokesperson said.

MORE: Liquidators appointed for company behind Mercy and three other Norwich bars

They said they were currently assessing the company's financial position 'in order to decide whether the clubs can continue to trade under their supervision', and would be in discussions with management over its future.

'A decision on the company's future is expected later this week,' they said.

A spokesperson for Norwich City Council said they could not comment, but that, on application of the council to the High Court, the proceedings had started and discussions were ongoing.

The four venues make up a significant part of Norwich nightlife in the heart of the city's clubland, an area which is particularly popular with students and visitors.

We contacted the company's owners for response over the weekend and on Monday.