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Bennetts bought out of administration

Published: 23 March 2011
Norfolk-based electricals retailer Bennetts has been bought out of administration by Lowestoft-based Hughes Electrical.
Bennetts bought out of administration
Bennetts closed all 16 stores after appointing business advisers PKF LLP as administrators on March 10, making 228 members of staff redundant.

Parts of the business are now being bought by Hughes, who will reopen six stores in Norwich, Cromer and Dereham in Norfolk, Martlesham Heath in Suffolk, Colchester and Farnham in Surrey.

Bennetts' online online operation will also resume trading.

100 employees will be taken on, and former members of staff are being invited to apply for jobs, according to PKF.

Hughes md Robert Hughes said: "Bennetts tend to operate larger stores in out-of-town locations and are price driven. Hughes operates smaller stores in high street locations where high levels of customer service and advice are paramount.

"The Bennetts stores to be reopened have successfully co-existed with our own and there is every reason to believe this will continue."

Hughes will provide financial support so that relationships with suppliers can be restored and customer problems resolved.

Mr Hughes added: "Customers and suppliers need reassurance at this difficult time. As one of the country's largest and most successful electrical retailers, we will be able to do that.

"Hughes has always put customer service first - so while we may have no legal responsibility to do so, we will make it a priority to ensure all unfulfilled orders at the time of the administrator's appointment are resolved."

PKF corporate recovery partner Matt Howard said: "We are delighted that we have been able to rescue part of the business and find a buyer in such a short period of time.

"It is regrettable that we have had to make redundancies but that was due to a lack of cash available. We are very confident that the Bennetts name will trade well from these reopened stores and wish them every success."

Hughes Electrical operates 42 stores specialising in the sale and rental of home entertainment and kitchen appliances.

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