Was forwarded this from a friend who found it on a 2CV newsgroup...
"Roy was a sole trader operating under the trading name of ECAS. On the
18th November he appeared before the High Court and was declared bankrupt. Roy told us about this on the 21st November and asked Andy and I to stay with him and see if we could trade our way out of the difficulties. The
trustee appointed by the court told us on 30th November that a bankrupt sole
trader is unable to have employees so sadly Andy I are now redundant and the business closed on Wednesday 30th November"
Can anyone confirm that we have sadly lost a major supplier?
This is where I should have checked my facts before posting. Apologies to all.
Through the 2cvGB forum have learnt that ECAS have ceased trading for the month of December only and hope to resume service next year.
Hopefully any difficulties that they may be experiencing are quickly resolved.
Again, apologies for not checking my info before posting.
Best wishes to all
Catherine
Let me clarify the facts from the fiction.
I'm currently working with Roy on resolving his predicament at Paul Robertson's suggestion because I've got previous at dealing with these sort of things.
It is a matter of public record that Roy has been made bankrupt.
There are good grounds for overturning this bankruptcy order - I've advised him what needs to be done to do this - so don't write Roy off just yet!
There is nothing to stop a bankrupt sole trader continuing to trade or employing people provided that this is done with the consent of the trustee in bankruptcy, but the trustee has to take on personal liability for this trade and employment.
Sadly for Roy, the trustee appointed has only experience of one other trading bankruptcy so is frankly out of his depth.
On flimsy grounds the trustee has decided that Roy cannot continue to trade.
The trustee will be made aware on 05/12/05 that his actions have put at risk the realisation of assets for creditors by virtue of his actions & given the opportunity to either allow trading to continue or resign from this appointment.
If the trustee won't comply, we'll be petitioning for his removal & making a claim for damages.
If you call ECAS on Monday, you will find that the message has changed & is much more up-beat.
We have another plan to resume trading within the next 5-10 days, so don't write ECAS off.
I expect them to be back in business in a few days & continuing to sponsor our race series.
I'll post the FACTS here as they unfold.
I had a very constructive discussion with the Trustees manager.
He took great pleasure in telling me that we was now the proud owner of at least 20 2CV's & all of ECAS's stock.
After we'd been through all the usual polite foreplay, I made him an offer to buy ECAS in its entirety for a six figure sum.
He's thinking about it & will get back to me.
But as I'm the 20th person to offer to buy the business & stock - admittedly the only sensible one - we may be deprived of parts for longer than any of us had hoped.
I'll chase him up on the 12th if I haven't heard anything in the meantime.
Bidding for ECAS finishes on 20th December @ 12 noon, so the business should be up & trading shortly thereafter.
The trustee is attempting to complete a deal for Christmas.
More info as available will be posted here!
Many thanks for your kind words and delighted to announce that Ecas
will be back soon - since today a very friendly buy out of the assets
has happened, new directors, new direction, new enthusiasm, new parts
made in England, Roy Eastwood (same shiny head) employed as sales manager,
some new faces some old faces but very definitely a happier, better business - the business was not sold - just the assets.
Back trading by 1st February 2006 - provided solicitors talk to each other sufficiently quickly!
Still 2cvparts.com but now Ecas 2cv Parts Ltd. rather than 'Roy Eastwood t/a Ecas'
All the usual engine parts - more than 100 barrel & piston sets still in stock!
Uprated valves etc...........
December 21st the winter solstice, the rising of the
new sun.
cheers,
Roy Eastwood.
(still in personal bankruptcy but nearly back in work again)
Tel: (UK mobile phone) 07802 411 952
Roy,
Great news!!
On behalf of the club welcome back!! Thanks to all of our members who have given support and advice to Roy over these past few weeks.
Roy, would you like this thread removed from the forum?
Cheers
Trevor