The situation must be finacially severe for HMRC to present wind up notice. Liquidator appointed to sell off assets and realise as much 'hard cash' as possible. Not sure it would be quite as simple as the Council picking up the tab. They may however undertake to underwrite any debt, with the eventual outcome a buyer, but in these circumstances the sharks are patrolling the shoreline, with vultures overhead. Pick up a bargain as they say