Showing posts with label Brantano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brantano. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

News: Not looking good for Brantano's Rotherham store

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The Rotherham outlet of struggling shoe retailer, Brantano, doesn't seem to fit for the owners after a deal to acquire parts of the business did not include the Parkgate store.

Rothbiz reported last month that closing down signs went up at Brantano, as it continued to trade whilst in administration. Tony Barrell, Mike Jervis and Rob Hunt of PwC were appointed as joint administrators of Brantano (UK) Limited on January 22.

The value retailer operated 140 stores and 60 concessions across the UK and employs around 2,000 staff. It was acquired in October 2015 by Alteri Investors - a specialist that invests in stressed and distressed retail situations - but has experienced difficult trading conditions. Administrators said it had been "hit hard by the change in consumers' shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment."

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Now a deal has been struck that will see Alteri Investors hand-pick 140 of the stores and concessions, preserving 1,372 jobs.

58 stores and concessions have not been included in the Alteri acquisition and this includes Rotherham. The administrators said that it will continue to trade these stores whilst dialogue continues with interested parties.

Robert Moran, deals partner at PwC, who led the sales process, said: "From discussions held over the last few weeks, there was interest from a number of parties, both trade and private equity, for the Brantano business. Of this interest, the offer from Alteri represents the best outcome for creditors and employees. We are delighted that 1,372 jobs have been preserved through the transaction and thank the Brantano team for working closely and collaboratively with us throughout what has been a difficult period for the business."

Tony Barrell, lead administrator at PwC, added: "We continue to trade the remaining Brantano business whilst discussions with interested parties continue. Unfortunately, in the event further sales are not possible, redundancies will become inevitable. We are working closely with Brantano employees and offering every support possible through this difficult period."

Brantano website

Images: Brantano

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

News: Rotherham Blue Inc store closes

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The Parkgate branch of Blue Inc has closed after the fashion retailer underwent a restructure that resulted in 580 jobs being lost and around 70 stores closing down.

Trading since 1912 and originating from London's East End, Blue Inc pushed on through the economic downturn, snapping up High Street stores from struggling retailers including D2, Officer's Club and republic in recent years. It built up to operate from 230 stores in the UK and five stores overseas, under two retail fascias: Blue Inc and Officers Club.

Steven Cohen acquired the company in 2006 and investors including former boss of Marks & Spencer, Sir Stuart Rose and The Reuben Brothers have backed the company to support its growth.

The Rotherham store was the company's first in a retail park location when it was announced it was coming to the popular Parkgate retail park in 2013.

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Insolvency firm, Leonard Curtis secured the future of 1,500 employees at A Levy & Son, which trades as Blue Inc and Officers Club, by advising on a restructuring process.

Neil Bennett and Alex Cadwallader of Leonard Curtis were appointed joint administrators on January 19 and the firm offloaded a number of leases. Neil Bennett, a director at Leonard Curtis, said that as a result of its intervention, Blue Inc "has protected the growth of the business by securing a more focused portfolio of stores."

Closing down signs have gone up at nearby shoe retailer, Brantano, as it continues to trade from the adjacent Parkgate unit whilst it is in administration. Tony Barrell, Mike Jervis and Rob Hunt of PwC were appointed as joint administrators of Brantano (UK) Limited on January 22.

The value retailer operates 140 stores and 60 concessions across the UK and employs around 2,000 staff. It was acquired by Alteri Investors in October 2015 but has experienced difficult trading conditions.

Tony Barrell, lead administrator at PwC, said: "The continuing challenging conditions for "bricks and mortar" retail stores are well documented. Like many others, Brantano has been hit hard by the change in consumers' shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.

"The administrators are continuing to trade the businesses as normal whilst we assess the trading strategy over the coming days and weeks. Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work during the Administration."

Dixons Carphone announced this week that it plans to reduce store numbers by 134 as it merges PC World and Currys stores to include a Carphone Warehouse in store. This has already taken place at the Parkgate outlet.

Blue Inc website
Brantano website
Parkgate website

Images: Tom Austen

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