COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Lee Longlands store in administration due to lockdown



An historic furniture company has gone into administration due to coronavirus after almost 120 years in business.

Lee Longlands was established in 1902 and opened its flagship store in Birmingham 30 years later.

The family-run business said it had been forced into administration as a result of the "the devastating impact of the coronavirus lockdown".

The firm has a number of showrooms across the Midlands and was described as "a household name" in the region.

Its shops in Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Kidderminster, Abingdon, Derby and Cheltenham were closed for three months and have only just re-opened as lockdown restrictions eased.

Robert Lee is the fourth generation to run the business, which was established by Robert Lee and George Longland.

"For almost 120 years our family business and our employees have put our customers at the heart of everything we do," he said, adding that the company would be working to fulfil orders "to restore our short term finances".

The company's founders were pioneers - in 1907 they became the first store outside of London to install window display lighting after closing time.

Its flagship store in Birmingham was used to store food rations during the Second World War, and the company also contributed to the war effort by producing "blackout fabric" to cover windows, making it harder for enemy bombers to identify targets.

"Lee Longlands is a household name across the Midlands," Matt Ingram, from administrator Duff and Phelps said.

"The fact that the appointment of administrators has been necessary, demonstrates the devastating financial impact that this pandemic will leave in its wake."

Leamington Café Rouge to close as owner goes into administration



A Café Rouge branch in Leamington Spa is closing for good after its owner went into administration.

Casual Dining Group, which also owns Bella Italia and Las Iguanas, is in the hands of the trouble-shooters, with more than 1,900 jobs set to be axed, though 4,000 are reportedly secure for now.

A Bella Italia in Solihull will also close in the shake-up.

Altogether, 91 of 250 outlets will close, with administrators now reassessing the firm's finances.

A Café Rouge restaurant in Belgrade Plaza shut in February 2020.

Administrators Alix Partners said in a statement that the move was needed "in today's extreme operating environment" so it could "conclude negotiations with landlords regarding the estate."

The consultants also said that "multiple offers" had been received for the business, all which "envisage a reduced restaurant estate".

The Group also has a Bella Italia in Belgrade Plaza, which is not included on a list of stores to close.

But today's (July 2) announcement spells the end of the Café Rouge in Regent Street, Leamington Spa, just outside the Royal Priors.

Most of the closures affect the Café Rouge and Bella Italia brand, although 11 Las Iguanas outlets, three Belgo restaurants and several sites at airports will also shut.

John Lewis to close eight stores permanently



John Lewis has announced it is permanently closing eight of its stores, putting 1,300 workers at risk.

The retailer said it had to "secure the business's long-term future and respond to customers' shopping needs".

Department stores in Birmingham and Watford will not reopen as the coronavirus lockdown eases.

At Home stores in Croydon, Newbury, Swindon and Tamworth will also shut down, as will travel sites at Heathrow airport and London St Pancras.

The move comes a day after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced measures aimed at safeguarding jobs amid the downturn, including a one-off £1,000 payment to employers for every furloughed employee retained to the end of January 2021.

John Lewis had warned in March it could close shops as a plunge in profits forced it to cut staff bonuses to their lowest level in almost 70 years.

It said the eight stores affected were already "financially challenged" even before the pandemic struck.

However, Covid-19 had caused customers to move more quickly towards online shopping and away from stores.

dutchman wrote:So much for the idea that they might open a new flagship store in Coventry!