By Chris Irvine

ENTREPRENEURS on TV show Dragons' Den told them it wouldn't work.

Now a microbrewery and restaurant in Glasgow's East End - the dream of Petra Wetzel and Gordon Stewart - has gone into administration, just two years after opening.

The determined pair went ahead with their business venture - the 300-seat West Brewing Company near Glasgow Green - despite their knockback at the hands of the BBC2 programme's Duncan Bannatyne, a multi-millionaire tycoon from Clydebank.

The venue at Bridgeton's former Templeton carpet factory, inspired by Germany's microbreweries, seemed a hit with beer drinkers when it opened in March 2006.

But today it was revealed Anne Buchanan and Bryan Jackson, corporate recovery partners with accountants and business advisers PKF, were appointed joint administrators earlier this month on the instruction of a director of the company.

The move however does not spell the end for the venue. A new buyer - Noah Beers Ltd - which it is understood is run by Ms Wetzel has taken over.

And today she insisted the future was bright for the brewery and restaurant, which employ more than 20 staff.

Although no figures are yet available for the West Brewing Company's debt, PKF stepped in when the funds became unmanageable.

Ms Buchanan said: "The brewery and restaurant were operated and managed by Gordon Stewart but the business began to suffer losses which became unsustainable leading to the appointment of administrators when the company became insolvent.

"The business and assets of the company were sold to Noah Beers Ltd prior to the administration and is now being run as a going concern.

"Gordon Stewart is now no longer involved with the operation of the company."

Styling itself on the bars of Bavaria, the West Brewing Company's proud mantra is the Reinheitsgebot, a quirky 16th piece of German legislation which ensures only the finest, purest beer is deemed fit for consumption.

As well as their Dragons' Den rejection, Mr Stewart and Ms Wetzel also became victims of the weights and measures brigade in July 2006 when Glasgow City Council told them to stop serving beer in litre measures, the German way, and revert to British pints and half pints.

Ms Wetzel said today: "At present, my team and I are working very hard to ensure the smooth transition of the business here on Glasgow Green.

"We are working closely with the administrators during this period and we are proud that no member of staff is losing their job as a consequence of this transfer. The business will continue and prosper into the future."