Administrators seek to realise assets as online drinks retailer collapses

Administrators will seek to realise the business and assets of online drinks retail and wholesale business Spirit.Ed Group following its collapse. The business, formerly 31Dover, collapsed as a result of a difficult trading period and a failed process to raise new funding.

Colin Hardman and Clare Lloyd of Smith & Williamson were appointed as joint administrators to DMD Operations and Vanquish Operations last week. Businesses in the group include online drinks retailer Spirit.Ed, subscription service The Gin Club (which ceased operations in March amid sourcing issues) and wholesalers OnStock and Vanquish. The group also previously operated the now-defunct subscription business Off the Still.

Joint Administrator Colin Hardman commented: Following a period of difficult trading conditions, the companies’ management had attempted to find a new strategic funder. Whilst we understand that negotiations were at a very developed stage, ultimately they were not successful.”

“The joint administrators will therefore be aiming to realise the best possible value from the business and assets, in order to maximise the return to the creditors.”

In the year to April 2020, DMD Operations reported losses of £15.5 million, up from £299,000 a year previously. In its filleted financial accounts for that year, the company reported total assets of slightly over £1.5 million, with net liabilities of £14.9 million. During the same time period, meanwhile, Vanquish Operations had total assets of £670,609 and net liabilities of £216,874.

Founded as 31Dover in 2012, the company’s strong initial growth saw it announce plans in 2019 to raise more than £500,000 in a crowdfunding campaign that valued the total business at approximately £45 million. At the time, the business was registering annual revenues of around £12 million, which it was looking to grow to £30 million.

However, plans were abandoned for a potential £1 million crowdfunding after a private phase failed to reach £300,000. The company said at the time it would seek “alternative routes” of financing, but then saw its business severely hampered by COVID-19's devastating impact on the hospitality industry.

Despite the group’s struggles and ultimate collapse, the hospitality industry’s post-COVID recovery, as well as the ongoing popularity of e-commerce and subscription-based services, mean that many of the group’s assets set to be sold by administrators could be revived as viable operations.


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