A DISPUTE over money has broken out between Bolton Wanderers Football Club and its on-site catering partner led by celebrity chef Paul Heathcote.

A statement from the club over the weekend announced lawyers had been instructed to terminate the contract with Special Catering Services/Heathcote & Co, which covers food and drink in the hotel, stadium and hospitality areas.

Both parties say they are owed money — with both sums running into six figures.

Paul Heathcote, the Bolton-based Michelin-starred chef and a lifelong supporter of the club, has also instigated legal action to recover "significant and escalating debt".

Company Heathcote & Co moved to reassure their 200-plus staff their jobs are secure despite the ongoing dispute with Bolton Wanderers — while the club stressed it would not have an "adverse impact" on its hosting of the Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-finals this weekend.

Wanderers allege a number of “recent serious breaches” have led to them seeking legal advice to end the relationship, which has been in place since 2013.

A statement from Mr Heathcote read: “The difficulties that my club has been going through both in the past and more recently have been well documented. During all of this time we have always been supportive of the position.

“We find it disappointing and unfortunate that legal advice has been necessary to recover significant and escalating debt.

“This morning following the recent communications we spoke to our team and reassured them that we do not believe there is any grounds for contract termination and their jobs are secure.

“They do a wonderful job, are passionate about their roles and work hard, sometimes under very difficult circumstances.

“There is one simple solution to this issue."

In a statement the club said: "As you may be aware, Bolton Whites Hotel are currently involved in a dispute with Special Catering Services (SCC/Heathcotes).

"This dispute has been brought about by a number of recent serious breaches of the agreement by SCC, which they have not rectified.

"The Agreement clearly sets out the procedures in the event of a dispute, but unfortunately SCC chose not to follow these procedures.

"Accordingly, following their actions yesterday, which were a further breach of the agreement, we have instructed our lawyers to terminate the agreement.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused our valued clientele and can assure you we are doing everything possible to limit the inconvenience.

"As this dispute is now in the hands of our legal advisors, no further statements will be issued on this matter at this time."

Wanderers do not play a home fixture until August 11, when they entertain Bristol City, but they do play host to two Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-finals back-to-back next Sunday, with a sell-out crowd expected.

Writing on the football club's website, Chairman Ken Anderson stated: "It is important to note that this dispute will have no adverse impact on our hosting of the Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-finals next Sunday and the start to the Sky Bet Championship campaign."

He also added: "As SCC/Heathcotes have said there is one simple solution to the current issue, so let's both pay the gross amounts due to each other with no further arguments about set offs etc."

Guests at the Whites Hotel were informed on Friday that credit facilities for food and drink had been withdrawn and that goods must be purchased with cash only.

Signage around the bar area read: “Due to an ongoing situation the operator can no longer extend credit to Bolton Whites Hotel.

"To this effect the food and beverage operation will be serviced on a cash only basis."

Bolton-based Heathcotes have been the club’s catering partner since 2013 and have a staff base of more than 200 people.

A similar dispute hit the headlines in January last year, concerning a bill of nearly £200,000.