Oddbins into adminstration

[F i F]

Entered into agreements with creditors except HMRC who refused.

As usual.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12925060

[Aids]

Very sad development this is. The demise of Threshers was bad enough. Coming of course after the loss of Unwins Wine Merchants. The only winners will be the supermarket giants naturally. The death of the tradtional British High Street continues apace!

[MX7]

Aids said:

Very sad development this is. The demise of Threshers was bad enough. Coming of course after the loss of Unwins Wine Merchants. The only winners will be the supermarket giants naturally. The death of the tradtional British High Street continues apace!

After years of my hometown being dominated by Unwins/Wine Rack/Threshers etc, we just got an genuine independent start up. It's sad that Oddbins have gone, but something else will replace them.

[Life Saab Itch]

I'm not surprised, they couldn't organise a piss-up in a...bargain wine shop

[madala]

Life Saab Itch said:

I'm not surprised, they couldn't organise a piss-up in a...bargain wine shop

....spot on.....they never bothered to move with the times....sad to see them go!...not me.

[Lefty]

I was always pretty impressed with the service in the one that I used. The staff were enthusiastic and knowledgable (about whisky anyway), and always were happy to let you taste any or every bottle they had open.

[E36GUY]

Lefty said:

I was always pretty impressed with the service in the one that I used. The staff were enthusiastic and knowledgable (about whisky anyway), and always were happy to let you taste any or every bottle they had open.

This. I always liked the Oddbins I have used and think it's a great pity they have failed.

[Mermaid]

Supermarket promotional prices will start to disappear, adding to inflation.

[TypeR]

They used to have a wide and varied selection of wine, then virtually overnight their range was decimated, and all you could buy was generic French wine. If you wanted anything slightly unusual, you were out of luck.
I work for a large independant Wine merchant, and am dismayed at the loss of all the "usual suspects" We had Oddbins, Winerack and Bottoms Up, they've all gone and now the town where I work is dominated by supermarkets.

[Dino D]

F i F said:

Entered into agreements with creditors except HMRC who refused.

As usual.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12925060

Don't know much about how this works - why would they have refused - do they get more money by liquidating the company?

[Nimbus]

Mermaid said:

Supermarket promotional prices will start to disappear, adding to inflation.

On wine at least, they already seem to have.. difficult to find much decent stuff for under £10.. makes a trip to majestic worthwhile

[Wadeski]

They used to be very very good (in the 90s), then Nicolas bought them and killed the brand. Original owners bought it back and tried to resuscitate it but it was too late.

Supermarkets also changed the game in wine sales - people buy everyday wines almost solely on promotion, and as part of their regular shop. Oddbins' market dried up - they were trapped on the high street and couldnt premiumise to become a Lea & Sandeman, or do bulk like Majestic.

[crankedup]

Mermaid said:

Supermarket promotional prices will start to disappear, adding to inflation.

Why? Oddbins were relative minnows who offered a mediocre service IMO.

[madala]

.....I buy bulk at Majestic....they suit me just fine.....

[rxtx]

Shame, the one in Hertford is pretty good with knowledgable staff. Come to think of it, Hertford will soon be devoid of any shops whatsoever at this rate ...

[ringram]

"It had proposed paying creditors 21% of the money they were owed."

Sounds like a great deal. Not. If your boss owed you 6 months salary and said can I pay you 20% instead what would you say?
Basically its a failed business and should be shut down before it wastes any more money. Liquidate it.

Same should have happened to the bigger banks after taking deposits off them aka B&B & NRK

Too much Labour nanny attitudes around here. If its weak and sick, kill it. Creative destruction.