Robinsons Caravan Group in administration
One site has closed and another two have been sold
ONE OF THE country’s largest caravan dealerships collapsed into administration in March, leading to the closure of one site and the sale of two others.
Interpath Advisory has been appointed administrators of Robinsons Caravans Group, which included two branches of Robinsons Caravans in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and Golden Castle in Gloucestershire.
Two branches bought out
Golden Castle was immediately bought out by one of its directors, Alex Pennington, while the Worksop branch of Robinsons has been bought by the firm that owns Couplands Caravans, with staff transferring in each case. The Chesterfield branch of Robinsons has closed, with the loss of 16 jobs.
Former owner David Robinson issued a statement saying how sorry he was that his family firm had gone into administration.
In a statement initially sent to the East Midlands Business Desk website, he said,
“We are extremely sorry for all our loyal employees, customers and suppliers affected by what has happened to the business and we look forward to the outcome of the administrators’ investigations.”
Interpath Advisory says it is now in the process of contacting all customers with vehicles at the Chesterfield site due for warranty work or repair. Anyone who has a deposit on a vehicle at the site should email robinsonscaravans@interpathadvisory.com.
In its last published full year accounts, for 2022, the group had reported a full year profit of £603,253, although it said it had made a loss in the final quarter. Administrators say it went on to make a loss in 2023 as it faced inflationary rises in costs, while the cost of living crisis led to an impact on margins.
Shortly before the group went under, its major shareholder, MBH Corporation, which bought Robinsons from the family owners and subsequently bought Golden Castle, also went into administration.
Alex Pennington said his new company, Gloucestershire Leisure, will be honouring all deposits made to the old Golden Castle.
Anyone with queries about a vehicle at Robinsons’ Worksop site, now part of Couplands, should call 01909 475 220.
Spinney acquires White Arches
MBH was also a shareholder in White Arches, a dealership with two branches in Northamptonshire, but White Arches has now been acquired by Spinney.
In a statement, White Arches Group Operations Director Paul Hinchliffe said, “We are pleased to announce White Arches Caravans & Motorhomes have been acquired by Spinney. Spinney have a great history and background which aligns perfectly with White Arches. I know
I speak for every member of my team when I say we are extremely excited for the future ahead of us.”