Coffee Republic (UK) has gone into administration.
Sister chains Coffee Republic Franchising and Goodbean have also gone into administration. Richard Hill and David Crawshaw of KPMG Restructuring are joint administrators.
The holding company – Coffee Republic plc – is listed on Aim and is not in administration.
Coffee Republic, which was founded in 1995, operates 187 coffee bars in the UK and ten international locations. 20 are owned by Coffee Republic (UK) and 70 are franchised through Coffee Republic Franchising. A further 97 concessions operate within cinemas, retail outlets, cinemas and hotels in the UK.
The following stores are in administration: Hove, Bluewater, Birmingham Temple Row, Pembridge, Worcester, Kings Road, London, Birmingham, New Hall St, Canary Wharf, Manchester, York House, Beckenham, Great Marlborough Street, London, Queensway, London, Richmond, Staines, Chester, 33 Northgate St, Canterbury, The Mall, Ealing, Rathbone Place, London, George Street, London and Gloucester Road, London (closed shortly prior to appointment).
The 70 outlets franchised through Coffee Republic Franchising Ltd and further 97 concessions, operating within cinemas, retail outlets and hotels throughout the UK, are not in administration.
The group employs 153 staff – 26 in the London head office and 127 in the group-operated outlets. The administrators are assessing the viability of the individual outlets and will close loss-making outlets, which will lead to job losses.
Richard Hill, KPMG partner and joint administrator said: ‘The recession is hitting discretionary spending on the high street and some of the less profitable bars with expensive leases have suffered. However, Coffee Republic has a strong brand and I expect considerable interest in the profitable parts of the business. We will be doing whatever we can to find a buyer for the residual business as a going concern as quickly as possible, so interested parties will have to be prepared to move fast.’
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