It would appear this evening that internet retailer “Empire Direct” has entered administration.
The website’s homepage has been altered to display only a short message from the receiver which reads as detailed below.
Mark Firmin and Richard Fleming, both of KPMG LLP, were appointed in the High Court as Joint Administrators of Empire Direct Plc on 19 January 2009. The business is unable to trade in administration due to low stock levels and operating losses and accordingly the stores have been closed. The administrators are working hard to assess the position for customers who have made payments and not received goods. We will endeavour to contact these customers over the next few weeks.
Anyone interested in acquiring any part of the business should contact the administrators forthwith.
The administrators anticipate that the following helplines will be available from as early as possible on 20th January 2009.
If you are a customer then please call the helpline on 08714729000. If you are a supplier then please call the helpline on 08714729001. Alternatively you can send an email to orderqueries@empiredirect.co.uk.
Please note that emails will be responded to as soon as possible, however this may not be on the same day that we receive your query.
The affairs, business and property of Empire Direct Plc are being managed by the Joint Administrators
The Joint Administrators act as agents of the company and contract without personal liability
Mark Granville Firmin is authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Richard Dixon Fleming is authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner by the Insolvency Practitioners Association.
Obviously this is a breaking story and we will bring more information as it becomes available.