Popular Lower Hutt eatery Zany Zeus is in receivership, but still making food that people love.

Hollywood A-Lister Scarlett Johansson will still be able to get her favourite chocolate cake even if the Lower Hutt company that makes it is in receivership.

Cost and time over-runs had created significant cashflow pressure putting the future of boutique dairy producer Zany Zeus and its associated companies under threat.

PWC receiver Richard Nacey said the company got into financial strife as it set up a Seaview factory and had no option but to call in receivers.

But the existing Moera factory, with 29 staff, was still an operational and sustainable business so receivers were keeping it open while they looked at what to do.

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Options included selling the business or getting new investment to enable restructuring to take place, Nacey said.

"What we do know is there's a really good core business within Zany Zeus in relation to the current factory, so in terms of the approach that we're taking to the receivership, we're very much operating on a business as usual basis.

GETTY IMAGES Hollywood A-Lister Scarlett Johansson was a massive fan of Zany Zeus' chocolate cake.

"So we're keeping everything open, the factory's still running, there's a cafe out here and that's still open and operating ... orders are still coming in and all 29 staff are remaining employed at the moment.

"All we're looking to do is keep it open while we evaluate what options we can take to get the best recoveries for creditors," Nacey said.

Zany Zeus has developed a cult following among Wellingtonians, with the company famed for producing high quality organic dairy products – many used by local restaurants and cafes, and sold in supermarkets.

ZANY ZEUS Zany Zeus's chocolate cake which impressed Scarlett Johansson.

While he was unable to comment on what measures were taken to stave off receivership, Nacey confirmed Zany Zeus owed "millions" but hoped to have a clearer picture about the amount owed to creditors once its assessment was complete.

News of Zany Zeus' financial issues was a worry for some spoken to by Stuff on Wednesday morning.

Upper Hutt woman Liz Cocker said it was "a shame" it had gone into receivership and hoped the business could trade its way out of trouble.

KYLIE KLEIN NIXON/STUFF Zany Zeus cafe in Moera, Lower Hutt, has been popular with locals. (File photo)

"I like their food – their halloumi and salad and yoghurt ... they're always busy which says something," she said.

Michelle Watson works at the nearby Moera Pharmacy and said Zany Zeus had been a part of the local community for about 20 years, bringing a lot of foot traffic which benefited neighbouring businesses.

"People queue out the door for their cheeses and ice creams. They come from all over for it ... it helps us out, otherwise it would be quiet around here," Watson said.

The award-winning operation captured international attention after Johansson revealed she would drive for 35 minutes to the cafe in Moera for its chocolate cake while filming Ghost in the Shell in the capital.

"Give me that chocolate cake," Johansson told E! News during an interview in April 2017.

At the time, Zany Zeus co-owner Meropi Matsis, who runs the organic dairy manufacturer with her brother Michael, told Stuff they treated their famous client "just like anyone else."

"She had the freedom to walk around and experience our store ... she tried the organic soft serve ... however the chocolate cake caught her attention. Once she tried it, she was hooked," Matsis said.

Michael Matsis launched Zany Zeus in 2000 with his mother Lefki after spending "several years researching and experimenting with the art of cheese-making", the website says.

Meropi Matsis was approached for comment.