Willmotts' buyer brings optimism

The buyer is a private investor, Mahesh Patel, who was one of four parties interested in buying Willmotts when its administration was reported (optician, News, October 19). Mr Patel, who has been previously involved in nursing homes, had given Willmotts the investment the company needed, said Willmotts managing director Richard Berrington. 'There will be an advertising campaign and we will be looking, I hope, for some salespeople in the near future,' he said, confirming that Willmotts would attend Optrafair. The company, is one of the oldest in optics, and was established in 1884. It has a jewellery box business that accounts for 30 per cent of its work. Paul Boyle, joint administrator for Willmotts at Berkshire-based insolvency practitioners Harrisons, has written to Willmotts' creditors and suppliers to inform them of the news. 'Although completion formally took place on December 18,' he wrote, 'as the formal stock-take was undertaken on December 14, invoices in respect of goods delivered to the premises after December 11 will be the responsibility of the purchaser and should be forwarded directly to the Swan Lane premises [Willmotts HQ] for payment.' Mr Boyle told Willmotts' creditors and suppliers that any invoices relating to trading between September and December should be directed to Harrisons' premises for payment.