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The Latest on B&N Plastics. (October 2002)
I have received an email from B&N Plastics that states even though things are not going too well at the moment please do not give up on them. They still fully intend to produce the Robin depending on whether they can get any finance or not. They also attached a copy of this report that was in the East Anglian Daily Times.
East Anglian Daily Times - The morning newspaper for Suffolk and Essex
Friday October 11, 2002
Owner says 'don't give up on me'
EXCLUSIVE
By Patrick Lawman
The man who saved the Robin car from extinction said he is determined to keep the cult-three-wheeler alive despite dosing his Suffolk company. Les Collier, who owned Sudbury-based B&N Plastics, re-launched the much-loved car made famous by BBC television's Only fools and Horses in a blaze of publicity after buying the manufacturing rights from Reliant in 2001. But the re-emergence of the cult car was short-lived after the company was forced to stop production when the car did not meet Government safety requirements. Mr Collier has now closed his manufacturing firm which means the three-wheeler will not be seen In the immediate future.
But despite the difficulties, Mr Collier is adamant the British public has not seen the last of the car and he is now looking for a financial backer to help him re-launch his project. When B&N Plastics purchased the rights to make the Robin from Reliant, Mr Corner and his wife Barbara set up a separate business B&N Plastics Limited. The limited company still owns the rights to the car and Is not affected by the debts. He said: "I am absolutely determined to re-launch this venture. I am 100 per cent convinced the business could be profitable because the Robin Is still so popular and enjoys as much demand as ever.
"Obviously I am in financial difficulties at the moment so I can't continue but all I need is the financial backing and I will re-launch the business." Mr Collier is now proposing to sell off his assets including two homes to pay creditors which include banks, his factory work-force and other trade debts. He has also decided to enter into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement under the Insolvency Act. Creditors are due to hear details of the arrangement at Colchester County Court next week.
The problems for B&N Plastic began in July last year when It was found the car did not comply with Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre guidelines and the Certificate of Modification proving safety was not in place, which made the car Illegal. He was forced to stop producing the car for six months while he brought the design up to the correct standard, which he said built up huge debts.. Mr Collier said: "The problem is I can't afford to take the case forward so I am looking to get venture capital from a financial backer Although the situation is looking gloomy at the moment I am still determined to re-launch the Robin and do it In Suffolk."