MH storage company in administration

[claude et maude]

Looking for a bit of advice. I just happened to go on the website of the dealer where I store my MH and a notice popped up saying they are in administration. I’ll preempt any answers by saying that I will obviously contact the administrator but in the meantime, am I at risk?

This is the note that popped up

 

[Chris]

I think you will be absolutely fine.

I personally know one of the administrators and they are a honest firm in my experience.

 

[Brains]

Johns Cross the dealers, was closed down a couple of years ago, you will find threads on here somewhere with the reasons
(Basically rather than sell the business as a going concern the person preferred to simply shut it all down)

Therefore I'm surprised that a storage option is still running.
I presume it's the same owner simply selling all the assets rather than continuing the business.

I think you need to look for new storage option ASAP.
But in the meantime ensure no one is going to sell or tow off your motorhome.
(Yes, that has happened in the past, where a company went bust and sold off a load of motorhomes they did not own)

 

[claude et maude]

I think you will be absolutely fine.

I personally know one of the administrators and they are a honest firm in my experience.

Thanks Chris, I have sent the administrator an email as I am concerned that my pride and joy ends up locked up in their yard (minus the current security which will probably also affect my insurance) and then a big fight to recover it.

I am glad I didn’t leave my keys with them!!

 

[Ingwe]

Looking for a bit of advice. I just happened to go on the website of the dealer where I store my MH and a notice popped up saying they are in administration. I’ll preempt any answers by saying that I will obviously contact the administrator but in the meantime, am I at risk?

This is the note that popped up

View attachment 789818

I note that the Administrators intend to continue to trade on whilst looking to sell the business and/or the assets. So until you hear otherwise, the business will continue but the former directors will no longer be in control. If you owe the company money, you should pay or you will be in breach of contract otherwise. I'd make sure that you send a letter making clear that your motorhome giving full description of make, model and registration is your property and keep a copy of the letter.

Administrators tend to work quickly and what you don't want to happen is for some would-be purchaser making an offer for all the assets, contents of the warehouse etc and whisking your motorhome away. It is easier to prevent this than trying to recover it from some third party.

These days, there tend to be pre-pack administrations whereby deals are done quickly, often to the former directors who set up another company, buy the assets from the administrators and trade on having dumped the historic liabilities in the company which moves from administration to liquidation. There are supposed to be safeguards to prevent unsecured creditors being shafted but you're probably not a creditor just a customer. I'd look around for an alternative place to store your van but it may be that 'newco' continues to offer storage facilities.

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[claude et maude]

Johns Cross the dealers, was closed down a couple of years ago, you will find threads on here somewhere with the reasons
(Basically rather than sell the business as a going concern the person preferred to simply shut it all down)

Therefore I'm surprised that a storage option is still running.
I presume it's the same owner simply selling all the assets rather than continuing the business.

I think you need to look for new storage option ASAP.
But in the meantime ensure no one is going to sell or tow off your motorhome.
(Yes, that has happened in the past, where a company went bust and sold off a load of motorhomes they did not own)

Thanks for that. It is not the same business despite the very, very similar name. This is a current dealership, workshop, storage facility and not the one previously shut down at Robertsbridge (I think?)

 

[The Wino]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the storage facility buisness is sold as a going concern with the existing clients but worth contacting the administrator to check that security etc will stay I place.

 

[claude et maude]

I note that the Administrators intend to continue to trade on whilst looking to sell the business and/or the assets. So until you hear otherwise, the business will continue but the former directors will no longer be in control. If you owe the company money, you should pay or you will be in breach of contract otherwise. I'd make sure that you send a letter making clear that your motorhome giving full description of make, model and registration is your property and keep a copy of the letter.

Administrators tend to work quickly and what you don't want to happen is for some would-be purchaser making an offer for all the assets, contents of the warehouse etc and whisking your motorhome away. It is easier to prevent this than trying to recover it from some third party.

These days, there tend to be pre-pack administrations whereby deals are done quickly, often to the former directors who set up another company, buy the assets from the administrators and trade on having dumped the historic liabilities in the company which moves from administration to liquidation. There are supposed to be safeguards to prevent unsecured creditors being shafted but you're probably not a creditor just a customer. I'd look around for an alternative place to store your van but it may be that 'newco' continues to offer storage facilities.

I don’t owe them any money, in fact I have paid my storage fees in advance up to December 2023 and I have specifically asked the administrator to clarify any potential risks to me (by email).

 

[Chris]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the storage facility buisness is sold as a going concern with the existing clients but worth contacting the administrator to check that security etc will stay I place.

I think thats right.

The storage business should thrive especially with the expansion of ULEZ when an awful lot of people will want to get their vans out of the new zone.

 

[Mohawk Mo]

Hi, I used to work for a Senior Administrator. The Administrators will and should be happy to answer your questions regarding your vehicle, it's security and ongoing storage which will hopefully help ease your concern. Their priority will be to find a buyer quickly and hopefully it will have little impact for you longer term if once they secure a Purchaser.

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[Silver-Fox]

As I don’t trust many if it we’re my Moho I’d have it out if there and on a drive until it’s all sorted.

You’ve prepaid so can go back anytime.

 

[Chris]

The important thing is this is an administration, not a liquidation so nobody is looking to grab gear to sell.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

As I don’t trust many of it we’re my Moho I’d have it out if there and on a drive until it’s all sorted.

You’ve prepaid so can go back anytime.

Agree with the above.
If they still want the business they will respond quicker, no use having a MHome that's potentially locked up.

 

[nicholsong]

I think thats right.

The storage business should thrive especially with the expansion of ULEZ when an awful lot of people will want to get their vans out of the new zone.

Chris

I do not see why a MH owner, who is compliant with the LEZ but will be charged £12.50 for ULEZ only if he moves within ULEZ would want to pay storage fees.

If an owner keeps his MH at home, on drive or in the street, and only takes it away/and back 2-3 times a year the ULEZ cost would be 3x2x£12,50 =£75. I an sure storage would be much more and less convenient.

Those non-compliant with LEZ are in a worse position because according to the age of the MH they can be in for £00s for 3 movements out/in.

 

[Chris]

Chris

I do not see why a MH owner, who is compliant with the LEZ but will be charged £12.50 for ULEZ only if he moves within ULEZ would want to pay storage fees.

If an owner keeps his MH at home, on drive or in the street, and only takes it away/and back 2-3 times a year the ULEZ cost would be 3x2x£12,50 =£75. I an sure storage would be much more and less convenient.

Those non-compliant with LEZ are in a worse position because according to the age of the MH they can be in for £00s for 3 movements out/in.

I think ULEZ is a real problem for people who want to use their MH more regularly than that.
Don't forget ULEZ will now replace the whole of the LEZ.

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[headlight]

I'd get your van ASAP if it were me.
About 10 years ago a main Honda outboard dealer that had my boat in for an engine service went bust.
It took me over 3 months to get my boat back.

 

[G-RMPS]

A friend flew his plane to a maintenance organisation for a major service. Organisation started work on the plane, went bust leaving the plane in bits.

Three years and lots of money later the plane was airworthy again.

 

[Gringo2]

Looking for a bit of advice. I just happened to go on the website of the dealer where I store my MH and a notice popped up saying they are in administration. I’ll preempt any answers by saying that I will obviously contact the administrator but in the meantime, am I at risk?

This is the note that popped up

View attachment 789818

Hi G, I am also on the J&C Leisure site and first heard about this on the jungle drums then checked the website. Have spoken to one of the current directors and he assured me this is a part of the process to bring in new Directors/Investors. This has been ongoing for a couple of months and this was posted to inform all clients of the process. When completed the company will still trade as J C Leisure but under a new Limited. Apparently news will be posted very soon................... HOWEVER watch this space and keep an eye on website and as others have said for security contact the administrators.

 

[claude et maude]

Hi G, I am also on the J&C Leisure site and first heard about this on the jungle drums then checked the website. Have spoken to one of the current directors and he assured me this is a part of the process to bring in new Directors/Investors. This has been ongoing for a couple of months and this was posted to inform all clients of the process. When completed the company will still trade as J C Leisure but under a new Limited. Apparently news will be posted very soon................... HOWEVER watch this space and keep an eye on website and as others have said for security contact the administrators.

Thanks for that, very much appreciated. I was a bit surprised as I have been in their office many times recently including last week and nothing was said so seeing the note on the website was a bit of a shock, it’s not as if I am unknown to them, I’ve been in storage there since it was wasteland and they only had the house so I’ve seen the workshop go up and all the extensions to the facilities. I would have thought a friendly “oh, just in case you go on the website and panic let me put your mind at rest” kind of conversation would have been useful or an email to customers explaining the situation.

Can I ask, do you use their workshop?

 

[offagen]

Hopefully J C Leisure will continue to trade and operate normally in due course, even if with different owners. They have been a good company with some very skilled staff. We’ve been very happy with work done by them in the past and they have served that part of Kent/Sussex well for motorhome sales, servicing and storage. Let’s hope

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[Gringo2]

Thanks for that, very much appreciated. I was a bit surprised as I have been in their office many times recently including last week and nothing was said so seeing the note on the website was a bit of a shock, it’s not as if I am unknown to them, I’ve been in storage there since it was wasteland and they only had the house so I’ve seen the workshop go up and all the extensions to the facilities. I would have thought a friendly “oh, just in case you go on the website and panic let me put your mind at rest” kind of conversation would have been useful or an email to customers explaining the situation.

Can I ask, do you use their workshop?

Have only had my MH since April and was all serviced up when I bought it so can't advise on Workshop.

 

[claude et maude]

Have only had my MH since April and was all serviced up when I bought it so can't advise on Workshop.

Thanks

 

[Bryn_Middx]

Administrators’ team contacts by email: luke.francis@frpadvisory.com or chloe.fortucci@frpadvisory.com and web: https://www.frpadvisory.com.

 

[Ingwe]

Hopefully J C Leisure will continue to trade and operate normally in due course, even if with different owners. They have been a good company with some very skilled staff. We’ve been very happy with work done by them in the past and they have served that part of Kent/Sussex well for motorhome sales, servicing and storage. Let’s hope

I’m not commenting at all on the company you’re talking about of which I know nothing. But one has to ask what is going to be different about the business, if it did all the things that you say it did, but became insolvent. The administration may result in the new company emerging from the ashes without the former’s debts (bad news for creditors) but what trading conditions are going to change that prevent the same thing happening again?
I wish them well, hope it succeeds but I would be cautious.

 

[Littlewheels]

I do realise you have had a number of posts from qualified members but l have noted by your own admission that the land was waste land until turned into a storage facility, does this not pose the question that the Administrator would only have a Client List to sell as all the units stored have independent owners. I would remove your MH and ignore any assurances if sold and the storage facility continues you can always signup again.

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[offagen]

All the well intentioned members urging the OP to move the motorhome out of its storage have assumed that there is somewhere to move it to that would be acceptable to their insurers. In this part of the country there is a shortage of such storage facilities. Last year a facility on the Isle of Sheppey that held at least 120 units closed at fairly short notice leaving a lot of folk with nowhere to go. A good friend had to sell his 2 year old MoHo as he couldn't find anywhere within reasonable travel distance to move it to and there was no space for it at his home. It's hard to believe that any secure insurance-approved storage facility would not be profitable in this region so I doubt it is that part of JC's business that is in trouble.

Addressing Ingwe's post above, I would imagine that selling motorhomes with so much money tied up in stock could easily be a precarious business. However, as an example, Brownhills' Canterbury branch failed so they pulled out and were soon replaced by Choose Leisure on the same site. Fifteen years later Choose is a very large and flourishing dealer. It can be done but any potential purchaser of J C Leisure would want to be quite sure why the business has failed in the present healthy market.

 

[Bertiethebeast]

Chris

I do not see why a MH owner, who is compliant with the LEZ but will be charged £12.50 for ULEZ only if he moves within ULEZ would want to pay storage fees.

If an owner keeps his MH at home, on drive or in the street, and only takes it away/and back 2-3 times a year the ULEZ cost would be 3x2x£12,50 =£75. I an sure storage would be much more and less convenient.

Those non-compliant with LEZ are in a worse position because according to the age of the MH they can be in for £00s for 3 movements out/in.

If your MH is over 3.5t and Euro5 then it will cost you £100, if older the cost goes up as you fall under the LEZ, we use our MH 2-3 times a month

 

[InvictaMoto]

Our Autoquest 175 is there as we speak and in for warranty work. We have stored there over the winter but have been looking for somewhere nearer anyway....

 

[Conal]

offagen JC business did not fail. It was successful. The new owner did not want the business to continue so shut it down whilst it was a going concern and the staff were very busy. The new owner is trying to rent out the site but has not yet been successful

I know this because Andrew and James at AJM worked there and are now based in Ninfield, near Battle. They are close but, as far as I know do not have storage capabilities. They have recently acquired new, larger premises - it might be worth speaking to James.

 

[offagen]

Thanks for that info Conal, it now makes sense as it was hard to see why JC would fail. A shame that the new owner has taken that action.

Thanks also for updating on Andrew and James.