Companies in Administration/Bankruptcy Thread

[dunkle]

I stopped working for Smiths 8 years ago now and even when I left you could see the company was being left behind.

The likes of Tesco and other supermarkets expanded there news business and WH Smith never seemed to do anything to try and stay ahead of the game. They always seemed to be reactive as apposed to pro active (things like the club card etc)

The best thing to happen to them of late has been the post office, ensuring the footfall through the stores is there. Also at our local branch business is doing well today (and I assume be same for many) as the news of Woolworths has resulted in

Lottery Machine being removed
Phone top ups being stopped
and local wholesalers (SD) stopping supply of magazines

So many people have been going from Woolies to Smiths

It is sad though, all the staff these stores employ, I do feel for them and hope something can be worked out for them.

[mjb1975]

Originally Posted by meeti roti

Staines Woolies not doing Lottery. Does this mean the the National Lottery have pulled the plug on them selling tickets.

See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7751714.stm

Says Camelot stopped selling lottery tickets through Woolies.

[Ste7en]

Originally Posted by meeti roti

Still i bet the vultures will be circling especially if the stores start having closing down sales.

Why not? Everyone is hard up

[LouBarlow]

Originally Posted by meeti roti

Still i bet the vultures will be circling especially if the stores start having closing down sales.

20% off in mine today.

[Guest 22574]

Originally Posted by LouBarlow

20% off in mine today.

this offer was on before they went under.

hope they can restructure so they still exist but maybe with fewer stores.

[Ste7en]

20 percent off everything?

That would explain all the trade in my local, no signs up though.

Damn! I could have got that Godfather BD set for 24 quid...

[SAS]

[QUOTE=meeti roti;8348556]Staines Woolies not doing Lottery. Does this mean the the National Lottery have pulled the plug on them selling tickets.

QUOTE]

Yes Camelot have pulled the loto business from them, until a buyer is found. If you ask me Camelot are at it, they still get there money and it would of helped keep Woolies aflot.

[meeti roti]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

20 percent off everything?

That would explain all the trade in my local, no signs up though.

Damn! I could have got that Godfather BD set for 24 quid...

is that everything inc consoles etc.

[Bapapapa]

Think the offer was/is 10% off entertainment stuff and 20% off everything else..

[Guest 22574]

Originally Posted by Bapapapa

Think the offer was/is 10% off entertainment stuff and 20% off everything else..

thats the one. and in addition to other discounts e.g. 3 for 2 chocs or already marked down items.

[Richie]

Seems very random.
Like my local store had 10% off on everything on Monday but nothing now and other stores require a voucher (that was given out previously) and with the Wall*E offer some Woolies gave out a Rubik's cube some didn't. Very weird that it varies so much store to store.

[DJBenson]

Went in to the Burnley store tonight - no sign of any immediate closure (i.e. no 20% off or bare shelves).

The store was open til 8 (along with the rest of town) and it was very busy, lots of people walking round with stuff ready to pay and people leaving with bags full of stuff.

It would be nice if this push helped a little, but I doubt it. Camelot have surely cut of their nose to spite their face here though.

[douglasb]

Closing here:

Original Shoe Co
Qube (shoe shop chain)

Clearly the bottom has fallen out the slipper market.

[Ste7en]

Someone at work was in York the other day and they commented on how many little independant shops were closing down.

Which is a shame as it's the only reason I go to York

EDIT: At this rate the only shop left open will be Tesco. And I ******* hate Tesco!

[LouBarlow]

Originally Posted by chrisjm

this offer was on before they went under.

hope they can restructure so they still exist but maybe with fewer stores.

Ahh didn't know that. The store is closing on sunday though, so it must be tied in

[netboy]

Oh dear, have a look at the site:

http://www.woolworths.co.uk/

Ive always loved woolies, pic n mix with my gran over 35 years ago, the only decent store in Leigh, all the others a Ł shops or charity shops, not thats theres a shortage of chavs to buy stuff in them.

I do hope they pull out of it.

[Guest 66640]

It's even worse now! www.woolworths.co.uk

Camelot have surely cut of their nose to spite their face here though.

Camelot have no choice as they have to protect their licence and the lottery players of course.

[DJBenson]

Originally Posted by J-J

It's even worse now!
Camelot have no choice as they have to protect their licence and the lottery players of course.

How exactly are they protecting the players? The players have nothing to lose.

If Woolworths reconcile their lottery takings outside of their regular takings (as a lot of major retailers do) then the risk to Camelot is minimal (unless of course Woolworths started to dip into their Lottery takings...)

[Arthur Fowler]

Not protecting the players, surely they are protecting the lottery fund.

Woolies get money for ticket which they owe to Camelot. Woolies go bust. Lottery money is in woolies accounts before going to Camelot. Receivers take control of money. Camelot become "just" one of those who are owed money by Woolies. May get some percentage of the money they are owed at some point.

[DJBenson]

Originally Posted by Arthur Fowler

Not protecting the players, surely they are protecting the lottery fund.

Woolies get money for ticket which they owe to Camelot. Woolies go bust. Lottery money is in woolies accounts before going to Camelot. Receivers take control of money. Camelot become "just" one of those who are owed money by Woolies. May get some percentage of the money they are owed at some point.

Now I agree with that.