Fri, 13 Jul 2012 | ADMINISTRATION
Retailer Ethel Austin is up for sale less than a year after it was taken over by Ashloch Limited.
Ashloch, which is run by London business woman Sue Townsend, issued a notice to appoint Begbies Traynor as administrators for the firm.
However, they have insisted that Ashloch is not in administration, but that the firm has been instructed to “market the business and assets of Ethel Austin for sale”.
“The Ethel Austin brand, which was established in Liverpool in 1934, was bought from administration by entrepreneur Sue Townsend's Ashloch company in August 2011,” Begbies Traynor noted in a statement.
Gary Lee, partner at the administrators, added: “It is important to note that the company is continuing under the control of the directors and management – it is not in administration.”
Stock has recently been removed from at least one Ethel Austin store, while others have seen rent negotiations with landlords break down.
It is thought that Ashloch's problems with Ethel Austin have developed from a stock 'black hole'. When the company originally purchased the retailer its new owners discovered that the amount of stock held by Ethel Austin had been overstated by £5.5 million, which lead to the £1.5 million purchase price being renegotiated.
Ethel Austin has entered administration several times over the past three years as each new owner struggles to find the right approach to the business.
This well-established independent deli and farm shop has been a local favourite for about 20 years, offering a wide range of groceries including specialist cheeses and fresh produce.
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