Sunday 27 March 2011

The Lowdown: Beer-Ritz / Beer Paradise

OK, it's been a crazy couple of weeks, but here's what happened.

Basically, some information came to light regarding the structure of the company, and how that impacted onto UK company law. We had to stop trading immediately and resolve the situation, but for one reason and another, this was less than straightforward. The upshot was that the entire business, comprising the shop, the wholesale business Beer Paradise, and the mail order service beerritz.co.uk had to stop trading immediately and indefinitely.

It wasn't a solvency issue - the business is solvent and viable. But equally, we were advised by a fancy, serious, £400-an-hour lawyer (and it was a loooooong meeting) not to do anything on behalf of the company, so if you called me and I seemed less than helpful, I'm sorry. But read on, because there's good news.

Myself and the company operations manager rushed around trying to find a solution, and have happily succeeded. We organised a management buy-out - basically, we made an offer for the entire company (shop, wholesale and mail order), which was accepted. We are going to continue trading, honouring all existing debts and liabilites, and are going to carry on and build an even more successful business, buying and selling great beer to businesses and consumers across the UK and beyond.

At a company level, we are incredibly grateful for all the understanding and offers of support that people have given us. It's often implied that the beer business is friendly and gentlemanly, but to have it demonstrated so freely and generously is a humbling experience. At a personal level, I'd like to thank James Clay, Vertical Drinks and BrewDog for coming up with offers of employment that most people would tear off an arm to get. I'm sorry I couldn't take up your amazing offers, and I'm genuinely floored and flattered by them.

There are still some challenges that remain to be overcome, but as the Batman of Brewing Stuart Howe said recently, "true strength is forged on the anvil of adversity". I'm sure that we can continue to build a great company. Whether I can do that while continuing with a career as a writer is another matter. Frankly, I hope so, but things may go a little quiet here for a bit.

Lastly, thanks very much for all the kind words that people have written on their blogs and tweets over the last few weeks. It's been great to hear all of that enthusiasm, not only for the shop, but also for the sector as a whole. The great news is that the sector is still in growth - what has happened isn't bad for the craft/alternative/independent beer scene in the UK, it's good news. We're going to be around for years to come, and I haven't even told you the best bit: I now have a half share in a fork-lift truck. If that's not something to get excited about, I don't know what is.

Do what you love, love what you do. Message ends.

29 comments:

  1. Best of luck with the future, Zak. Forkin' brilliant :D

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  2. Excellent news Zak, so chuffed that you all sorted something out to get this business back in business!

    Good luck to you all and wishing you all many many hoppy years of selling great beer!

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  3. I'm doing my best to work through my beer cellar so I have space to send you and order!

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  4. Glad to hear that you managed to get something sorted.

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  5. Very good news, reassuring to hear it wasn't a solvency issue. Surely retailers of this kind will blossom in the future.

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  6. Thanks everyone.

    Curmudgeon - I hope that with the demise of Oddbins, the independent sector sees the opportunity for growth into the space that they have left.

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  7. Always good to hear good news! I've used the store several times to send presents to my dad back in the UK and I was beginning to panic! Good to hear that all has worked out for the best. Good luck for the future.

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  8. Thanks Zak, nice of you to put this out there. Good luck and if there's anything I can do let me know.

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  9. Which half of the fork lift truck do you own? left/right front/back?

    In all seriousness it's great news that it's back, and the possibility of you expanding it sounds great!

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  10. You lucky bugger, I have no forklift truck at all. I really, really need one.

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  11. Just enjoyed a whole weekend of absolutely beautiful beers purchased on Friday night during my first visit to Beer Ritz. Very glad you've re-opened, I'll be a regular for as long as you're around.

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  12. Brilliant news Zak. Wish you every success spreading the great beer message.

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  13. Excellent news. It must have been a very stressful time, but hopefully it's all steam ahead now:)

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  14. Please can i have a go on the forklift?

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  15. Brilliant. Very chuffed for you.

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  16. fantastic news Zak. Have blogged spreading the news you are back in business and linked to this post aswell.

    Such good news.

    Are you part owner now then?

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  17. Genuinely pleased that you have found a solution. Great stuff! Just wish there was a shop like yours in Hampshire. Next time I'm visiting family, I should try and pop in. Good luck

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  18. Sounds like a result worth putting up with some aggravation for!

    Onwards and upwards!

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  19. Great news. It's made my morning. Best of luck, Zak.

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  20. Glad to hear things on the right track, best of luck, keep drinking!!

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  21. Really great news, I'll update my blog too with the link to yours, hope that's ok.
    Wishing you all the best of luck and will be pacing an order very soon.

    Cheers, Phil

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  22. and placing one too even, the pacing will be the waiting for it to be delivered...

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  23. Very Glad to hear the situation had resolved itself. Will need to cancel the Jag we ordered to tempt you over to Ales By Mail :-).

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  24. I used to be a forklift assessor. Not running over the assessor was a major contributing factor in passing the course. Which is why I walk with a slight limp and had a less than 100% pass rate.

    Left hand down a bit, Zak. Left hand down a bit.

    Hope you call the forklift Silver Lining :-)

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  25. Thanks for your kind words, everyone, Sorry I don't have time to reply to you all, but I'd just like to say to BeerReviewsAndy: NO, you can't have a go on the forklift.

    More soon, cheers.

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  26. Excellent news. Our new shop Beer Discoveries in Westerham is opening on Friday 1st April, so we will be onto you to buy some beer for the shop soon!
    Robert Wicks - Westerham Brewery

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  27. All the best for the future Zak!

    On a personal note delighted the shop is open but also that the world hasn't lost one of the beacons of customers service and passion that other retailers can only dream of emulating.

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Sorry about the word verification - the blog was getting spammed to bits.