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Dreams acquired
by Sun European in £35m pre-pack administration deal
THE bed superstore chain
Dreams collapsed after a long running standoff between former
private equity owners Exponent and Royal Bank of Scotland a few days
back. On 5 March 2013, Alan Hudson, Craig Lewis and Joe O'Connor of
Ernst & Young LLP, were appointed Joint Administrators of Dreams
Plc. More than 90 of its stores will now be closed, but the
remaining 171 shops, and 1,675 jobs, are being saved, thanks to a
£35m pre-administration deal, with the owners of the rival bed and
sofa company, Sun Capital Partners (ScS). Sadly, the collapse will
still result in the loss of around 400 jobs. Alan Hudson, Joint
Administrator, said:- "High street retailers have faced
unprecedented conditions over recent years, and the market for
higher value discretionary purchases has been particularly tough.
Dreams is a well known market leader, but in common with many others
has suffered as a result of this depressed retail environment, a
rapid expansion of its store portfolio and onerous lease
liabilities. Whilst recent performance has improved, it has seen a
decline in like for like sales across its store portfolio as well as
its operating margins being squeezed. This has resulted in the
business being unable to continue to operate outside of
Administration. However, we are pleased to announce that a sale has
been completed that sees the majority of the Dreams business
including 171 of its stores, its head office and its two UK
manufacturing facilities being sold to a new company controlled by
Sun Capital Partners. The business will continue to trade without
interruption, over 1,600 jobs have been transferred and the future
of Dreams on the UK high street has been safeguarded. The remaining
stores that are not included in the sale will remain open for
business whilst the Administrators seek to find buyers for these
stores." The new owner of Dreams will honour customer orders
where part payment deposits have been made for goods and customer
warranties. If you are affected by this, please let us know by
emailing us to our
newsroom.
DRIVERS URGED TO NOT DRINK AND
DRIVE THIS SPRING
DRIVERS on Merseyside are
being reminded to not put their lives at risk this spring by drink
driving. The message coincides with the Government's latest THINK!
campaign that highlights the serious consequences and the personal
cost of a drink driving conviction. Launched in March 2013, the
campaign has calculated that drivers face a personal financial cost
of £20,000 to £50,000 if caught drink driving for the 1st time.
Merseyside Police's Roads Policing Department are using the campaign
to educate drivers about the risks of drink driving and reminding
them of the financial cost. Chief Inspector John Hogan, head
of Roads Policing said:- "We will not only crackdown on
irresponsible drivers, but also educating people about the dangers
and personal cost of drink driving. We all know that drink driving
risks lives but as the THINK campaign highlights there is also a
hidden cost amounting to thousands of pounds reflecting fines, rise
in insurance premiums and possible job losses faced by those
convicted. Do you know that you could be left with a bill of almost
£5000 just in legal fees plus a fine of £5000 if charged with drink
driving? With lighter nights approaching, and hopefully some warmer
weather, we appreciate that people may want to enjoy a drink in the
evening but we urge them to not get behind the wheel and drive home.
Plan your evenings out properly, use public transport or have a
designated non-drinking driver. Alcohol affects everyone differently
and can still be in your system many hours after drinking. Even the
smallest amount of alcohol will affect your competence behind the
wheel, your ability to judge speed and distance and will slow down
your reactions. Most people know not to drink and drive but a small
minority still do and its those people we are appealing to. You risk
not only hurting yourself and others but also hefty costs if
convicted, risks that I am sure you will agree are really not worth
taking."
As well as targeting drivers suspected of drink driving, officers
from the Force's Roads Policing Department are visiting schools and
colleges around Merseyside to educate young drivers about the
dangers of drink driving and other road safety issues. In
particular, officers are keen to educate young men aged 17 to 29
about the dangers of drink driving after they made up over 38% of
drivers caught driving under the influence over the Christmas and
New Year period.
Merseyside Police remains committed to tackling illegal and
dangerous driving throughout the year in an effort to reduce the
number of people who are killed or seriously injured on the roads of
Merseyside. Although the force holds dedicated drink and drug
drive campaigns in the Summer and at Christmas, officers conduct
breath tests and impairment tests throughout the year.
Any driver involved in a road traffic collision, or who commits any
traffic offences, can expect to be breathalysed and may be required
to perform an impairment test. Should they fail these tests the
penalties can be severe. |
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The Atkinson
announces a fantasia of family fun!
SOUTHPORT'S brand new
multi-purpose arts venue, The Atkinson, is delighted to announce a
strong programme of family friendly fun for spring/summer 2013. With
terrific treats including fairytales, waving felines and even
humongous vegetables the venue is set to keep kids (and big kids)
utterly entertained throughout May, June and July 2013.
Kicking off the shenanigans on 18 May 2013, is Hiccup
Theatre's brand new version of the classic fairytale Rumplestiltskin.
Follow the troubled Miller's daughter as she tries to outwit the
greatest trickster of them all! With a generous amount of magic and
mayhem in the air, will the brave heroine save the day? Or will
rotten Rumple double cross her once and for all? With puppetry, live
music and mischievous storytelling this magical show by award
winning writer Mick Kenny will have you on the edge of your seat,
because after all, he's sneaky, he's cheeky, he's… Rumpelstiltskin!
The Krazy Kat Theatre Company bring their sign language art creation
The Waving Cat of Japan to the Atkinson on Friday, 24 May
2013. In this visually exciting production, which also marks Krazy
Kat's 30th birthday, the company will bring to life Maneki Neko -
'The Waving Cat' - the Japanese cat shaped figure said to
bring luck. The lavishly designed show uses Bunraku puppet- style
theatrical fantasy, mixing in traditional Japanese images borrowed
from the 'Noh' and 'Kabuki' theatre.
Expect a tropical storm, a wicked Sorceress, and a not so smart
Prince with three tricky tasks to perform before midnight - yikes!
Luckily, Maneki Neko the waving cat is on hand to try to help!
Next on Wednesday, 29 May 2013, Topsy Turvy Theatre arrive at The
Atkinson with Ruby Flew Too, the heart warming tale of a little
duckling struggling to find her feet. Youngsters can watch the
ducklings hatch in front of their eyes are advised to hide their
lunches as Rufus, Rory, Rosie and Rebecca waddle to the audience in
search of food. They'll laugh as Frog tells the worst jokes you have
ever heard, and don't forget to bring an umbrella.... just in
case. With live theatre, stunning scenery, beautiful handmade
puppets and original music, this high energy visually captivating
show is a treat for the whole family.
Following their smash-hit show Andy and Mike's… Big Box of Bananas,
dynamic duo Andy Day and Mike James visit The Atkinson for the very
first time on 2 June 2013 with yet another brilliant
adventure, and this time, they have a time machine! BAFTA nominated
BBC presenter Andy Day, star of Andy's Wild Adventures (CBeebies)
and comedy partner Mike James bring their trademark infectious
energy and irrepressible sense of fun and promise to make the new
show; Andy and Mike's Tick Tock Time Machine; a treat for the whole
family.
Following smash hit performances of 3 Little Pigs, The Elves and the
Shoemaker and The Little Red Hen, Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company
are bringing their new show The Enormous Turnip to The Atkinson for
2 shows on 14 June and 15 June. Living on an allotment
in a tiny house the size of a shed, Mr and Mrs Chickweed show off
their prizewinning vegetables for the last time before they retire.
However, they can't resist planting one last seed and as the
Enormous Turnip grows, it threatens their house with disaster! Can
anyone help them pull up the Enormous Turnip? This re-potted version
of the famous children's story is a treat for the whole family.
The Atkinson has a special dance treat on Saturday, 29 June
2013, as Turned on its Head presents Shiny, a new dance theatre for
children under 4 and their parents/carers. It's the beginning of a
new show by the brilliant Liz Clark and Oksana Tyminska of Turned on
its Head and they invite youngsters and their families into a world
where they can explore, dance, go on an imaginary journey or just be
their unique selves. What's in the bag? What's that peeping out? Can
you look inside and find out? It looks very bright and magical and
shiny...
As Lyngo Theatre Company celebrates its 10th anniversary this year,
they are delighted to team up with the Mac Birmingham and The Lowry
on their best show yet Knick Knack and Dad Doo – Reasons to be
Cheerful and will bring the interactive show to The Atkinson on
Saturday, 13 July 2013. Knick Knack Lives on the North
Atlantic garbage patch, all alone and forgotten just like the
rubbish that he sorts through every day. With the arrival of Doo
Dad, Knick Knack has to learn how to make friends again, slowly the
garbage dump begins to flower and Doo Dad helps Knick Knack re
discover all the reasons to be cheerful. The show is about renewal,
regeneration and of course recycling, even asking if the audience
have anything to throw away and using it in the show, making the
most marvellous thingamajigs.
On Sunday, 8 July 2013, The Atkinson will host the Tall
Stories Theatre Company's show My Brother the Robot. Bobbie is a
little girl who lives with her inventor dad; they have everything
they need until one day Bobbie announces that she wishes she had a
little brother. So Bobbie's dad locks himself away in his lab and
works day and night to create a special present for Bobbie… a robot
little brother. Bobbie loves her new little brother, and tells him
all about how the world works. But when Bobbie gets into danger one
day, will her robot brother save her?
The Atkinson is committed to catering for families and young people
as part of its varied programme, look out for more exciting
announcements coming soon!
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