Plans for a buying group for former Threshers franchisees have fizzled out.

It had been hoped that the 50 former franchisees still trading as independent retailers could team up to get better prices and possibly create a new symbol.

But that dream is now "dead and buried" after a party to unite the retailers at the end of last month was cancelled due to lack of interest.

"It is a shame but it looks like that's it for the buying group," said Paul Dawkins of Heatons Wines in Romsey, who organised the event. "There just wasn't sufficient interest among former franchisees. It is a wasted opportunity."

Dawkins said he was baffled by the lack of interest, as the scheme could have had clear benefits in terms of improved buying power, distribution and trade credit terms for members.

"If we could have made it work it would have been beneficial to everyone involved," he said. "Perhaps the former franchisees have got enough on their plates running their own businesses for the first time. They have been through a lot of upheaval."

The former Threshers franchisees were forced to reinvent themselves as independent retailers after First Quench Retailing, the owner of the Threshers brand, entered administration in October.

Of the 80 former franchisees, nearly 50 had renegotiated their leases with administrator KPMG or with the landlord and had managed to source new products for their stores.

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Former Threshers retailers meet in bid to form new buying group (17 July 2010)
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