Von Essen in Administration
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: UK
Von Essen in Administration
This has just come up on BBC News. Just of interest as in the same fold as Premiair and Battersea.
The holding company of the von Essen hotel chain has appointed accountants Ernst & Young (E&Y) as administrators
The firm owns 28 luxury hotels in the UK and France.
The hotels themselves are not in administration and are operating normally, E&Y said in a statement.
And from Caterersearch.com (don't ask!):
Von Essen Hotels has fallen into administration with debts of more than £250m.
Administrators Ernst & Young are reported to have been appointed by Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group after the five-star hotel group breached a covenant governing the minimum level of underlying earnings and failed to make an interest payment on its debt.
Only the Von Essen Hotels holding company is in administration.
The holding company of the von Essen hotel chain has appointed accountants Ernst & Young (E&Y) as administrators
The firm owns 28 luxury hotels in the UK and France.
The hotels themselves are not in administration and are operating normally, E&Y said in a statement.
And from Caterersearch.com (don't ask!):
Von Essen Hotels has fallen into administration with debts of more than £250m.
Administrators Ernst & Young are reported to have been appointed by Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group after the five-star hotel group breached a covenant governing the minimum level of underlying earnings and failed to make an interest payment on its debt.
Only the Von Essen Hotels holding company is in administration.
Last edited by 101BOY; 21st April 2011 at 13:08.
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Milano, Italia
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According to financiers in the City, Davis' outgoings via the VEG had been exceeding income for some time and, lacking an alternative capital base to support this, the outcome while sad, is hardly surprising.
They would have culled up to 50% of their assets about two years ago and avoided this but .. few entrepreneurs are willing to step back in this way.
As I often tell my clients, sometimes one has to step back in order to make effective the march forward!
Sav
According to financiers in the City, Davis' outgoings via the VEG had been exceeding income for some time and, lacking an alternative capital base to support this, the outcome while sad, is hardly surprising.
They would have culled up to 50% of their assets about two years ago and avoided this but .. few entrepreneurs are willing to step back in this way.
As I often tell my clients, sometimes one has to step back in order to make effective the march forward!
Sav
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Terrible shame, especially bearing in mind how well pilots are treated by the higher management at Battersea these days.
Guest
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: UK
It's supposedly 'business as usual' at Premiair and they will be unaffected.
Although if I were a pilot there I would be brushing up my CV and casting an eye around in case the company gets sold off.
I think the question is - has Premiair been making money lately? (unlike all the other charter companies in the South East?) or has Von Essen been bank-rolling them. I hope it's the fomer.
Although if I were a pilot there I would be brushing up my CV and casting an eye around in case the company gets sold off.
I think the question is - has Premiair been making money lately? (unlike all the other charter companies in the South East?) or has Von Essen been bank-rolling them. I hope it's the fomer.
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Andrew Davis owns Premier Aviation Group Ltd. He also owns Von Essen Aviation Ltd. They are companies under the same common ownership but from a company law point of view, they are not in the same group.
The aircraft are registered to Von Essen Aviation Ltd.
Cheers
Whirls
The aircraft are registered to Von Essen Aviation Ltd.
Cheers
Whirls
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
According to Companies House, Andrew Davis is the sole 100% shareholder (i.e. owner) of those companies I mentioned. Thankfully, my own conpany's subscription to this information costs me nowt. 
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 439
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From: UK
That'll be alright then. Von Essen Aviation won't in any way miss the large amount of cashflow generated by Von Essen Hotels, such CF being used to pay debts for the whole group.
And as for the new Hotel Verta......presumably that building and its environs being in the hands of administrators won't at all affect it?
Banks may appear stupid - but they appoint administrators to get back loans made that weren't being covered. They will use all and every avenue to find the cash.
This may yet be another sad rotary industry story.
And as for the new Hotel Verta......presumably that building and its environs being in the hands of administrators won't at all affect it?
Banks may appear stupid - but they appoint administrators to get back loans made that weren't being covered. They will use all and every avenue to find the cash.
This may yet be another sad rotary industry story.
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Den Helder
I dont know how the billing works, but if I were a customer I wouldnt want to pay anything up front now either to stay in one of the hotels, or for a helicopter charter. The damage to reputation must carry across to some degree.
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Milano, Italia
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As mentioned on another thread where this was initially reported, the writing was on the wall for a number of City financiers familiar with Davies' operations.
By all counts PremiAir's operations are, on the whole, commendable - even admirable, and Heli01's 'face-saving' comments in their support (via the information of his 'contact') are therefore understandable.
To suggest however that the collapse of PremiAir's sister company will have zero impact on their operations either now or in the future is perhaps optimistic. My understanding was that Von Essen hotels part-funded the initial acquisition of PremiAir?
We shall see what transpires.
This would however be a good time for the boys at Sparspeed to focus their efforts in preparedness for 'catching' any business which might emerge from the current uncertainties - that's how the business world survives!
Sav
As mentioned on another thread where this was initially reported, the writing was on the wall for a number of City financiers familiar with Davies' operations.
By all counts PremiAir's operations are, on the whole, commendable - even admirable, and Heli01's 'face-saving' comments in their support (via the information of his 'contact') are therefore understandable.
To suggest however that the collapse of PremiAir's sister company will have zero impact on their operations either now or in the future is perhaps optimistic. My understanding was that Von Essen hotels part-funded the initial acquisition of PremiAir?
We shall see what transpires.
This would however be a good time for the boys at Sparspeed to focus their efforts in preparedness for 'catching' any business which might emerge from the current uncertainties - that's how the business world survives!
Sav
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,184
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From: Lost again...
However, administrators ain't stupid..... The Heliport generates good revenue, which is more than can be said, i expect, for the hotel. They'll want it to remain a going concern while they try to find a buyer (as will a significant number of wealthy users, as evidenced by the folks who were interested when Westlands put it up for sale).
I think that the Heliport's future is probably secure albeit that there will be some uncertainty and disruption for a while.
Best wishes to all the staff at the Heliport - more new uniforms eh?
OH
I think that the Heliport's future is probably secure albeit that there will be some uncertainty and disruption for a while.
Best wishes to all the staff at the Heliport - more new uniforms eh?
OH
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 439
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From: UK
All the links from PremiAir's website to London heliport and the Verta aren't working.....something is going on.
London Heliport
London Heliport
Joined: May 2000
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From: uk
The links worked for me too.
Jim Ball, having read a lot of your previous posts, you obviously suffer from the "English Disease" because you appear to revel in other people's misfortunes. I think you might be wrong with this one - well at least I hope you are!
"Listening out"
Earpiece
Jim Ball, having read a lot of your previous posts, you obviously suffer from the "English Disease" because you appear to revel in other people's misfortunes. I think you might be wrong with this one - well at least I hope you are!
"Listening out"
Earpiece