Wed, 18 Dec 2019 | ADMINISTRATION
Online and pop-up book retailer The Book People has gone into administration, announcing that it has appointed advisers from PricewaterhouseCoopers.
PwC administrators have said that there will be no immediate redundancies and that trading will continue as normal as administrators seek to secure a rapid sale of the business. All orders already placed for Christmas are due to be fulfilled.
The Book People was founded in 1988 in Godalming, Surrey by Ted Smart and Seni Glaister. The company employs nearly 400 staff and operates from a warehouse in Bangor.
Private equity firm Endless acquired the company in 2014. 2017 saw The Book People make sales of £71 million, but its profits fell to £1.1 million from £6.2 million the year before, with the company’s debts then at £33 million.
It makes 70 per cent of its sales online, also selling direct to schools and businesses and through pop-up shops in workplaces. In addition to books, the company also sells toys, stationery and gifts, both online and through its catalogue.
Discussing the company’s problems, Endless partner James Woolley said: “The well-documented challenges in the retail environment compounded by the strength of global online booksellers, has severely impacted operating cashflows over recent years.”
Joint administrator and PwC partner Toby Underwood said: “The intention is to fulfil and deliver all customer orders received and accepted. I appreciate the obvious concerns that staff in particular will have as we move towards Christmas.”
“While the administrators have funding to meet the payroll for December, the longer-term prospects for the business, staff, customers and suppliers will clearly be dependent upon whether a sale can be secured.”
The company is a retailer of used cars, operating a popular e-commerce website that attracts customers nationwide. The business sells high-quality used vehicles, offering a comprehensive range of popular makes and models, and all its vehicles are ful...
LEASEHOLD
Established business with nationwide reputation. A client base offering extensive market-leading product range from well-fitted industrial warehouse, as well as office premises in convenient commercial location.
FREEHOLD
Very established craft bakery with impressive reputation and regular customer base offering wide range of premium quality products.
LEASEHOLD
27
|
Mar
|
Acquisitive IT firm makes latest deal after securing fresh funding | BUSINESS SALE
Everything Tech Group, an acquisitive Manchester-based manag...
27
|
Mar
|
Corby telematics firm sold to EOT | BUSINESS SALE
An international telematics company based in Corby has been ...
26
|
Mar
|
Fairstone completes latest acquisition with Nottingham deal | BUSINESS SALE
Financial planning consolidator Fairstone Financial Manageme...
Business Sale Report is your complete solution to finding great acquisition opportunities.
Join today to receive:
All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources
We can help you capitalise on insolvent businesses. We list UK businesses in administration, liquidation and with winding up petitions daily. Ensuring our members never miss out on an opportunity
Please choose your settings for this site below. For more information please read our Cookie Policy
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and provide you with access to all features.
These are analytics cookies that help us to improve the way our website works.
These are used to improve the functional performance of the website and make it easier for you to use.