Oddbins going bust?

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I've heard rumours today that Oddbins are going into receivership.  If this is true it is a sad day for British wine retail as this once great chain is where many of todays wine professionals, including yours truely, started their careers.

Founded in 1963 by Ahmed Pochee, it has passed through the hands of Seagrams, Castel Freres and is now owned by Simon Baile who's father successfully ran the company for ten years after it was put under receivership in 1973.  When Baile took over the company in 2008, there was a promise to put the 'Odd' back into Oddbins, but, if the trade rumours are true, it looks to be too big a challenge for the company that, in 2006, reported over £8million loss.

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Sue Harris on behalf of Simon Baile said…
It is a sad day indeed for all our competitors to announce that Oddbins is NOT going bust and we plan to be here for a long time to come. The rejuvenation and turn around is well under way with over 400 new wines, the beginnings of a new look inside and plenty of up beat spirit.

Our goal is to ensure that the small independent wine maker is at the heart of our range and we are quickly opening the door to many small wine makers to the UK market. This is what I work for and is what I am passionate about. So please feel free to sign up to any of our forthcoming tastings instore and see for yourselves.

After our recent press tasting in Dublin, on 11th October, Thomas Clancy, Sunday Business Post, wrote:

“Now, having recently been acquired by the son of the chain’s founder, Nicholas Baile, and his Irish business partner, Henry Young, the 150-strong chain is back where it belongs.”

Simon Baile
Managing Director
Oddbins
14 October 2009 at 11:57
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