Ex Cellar (Paris): finally some good news for Simon Baile's employees

Rue des Ecoles, Paris (Google maps)

There is good news at last for Simon Baile's employees in France, who worked at his Ex-Cellar shop in Paris at 25 Rue des Ecoles: Ex Cellar (France) was put into liquidation on 28th May 2013 and its employees were made redundant on 11th June. This now means that they are able to look for a new job, while safeguarding their employment and social security rights.

A previous Jim's Loire post on Simon Baile's Paris shop here.

The UK arm of Ex Cellar Ltd (sole director: 45 year old Simon Edward John Baile – DOB: 9.8.1967) went into administration on 28th January 2013. The four Excellar shops still in operation are now owned by a Prebinvest Ltd. The company was formed on 4.10.12 and was initially called Baileco Ltd. The change of name to Prebinvest Ltd was on 14th November 2012. Its sole director is 43 year old Kathryn Baile (DOB: 13.5.1970). The registered office is 145-147 St John Street, London EC1V 4DU – a popular accommodation/virtual office address with mail forwarding facilities. 

Ex Cellar now has four shops: three in Surrey – Ashtead, Claygate and Surbition; and Fulham in London. On the Ex Cellar website Simon Baile is shown as the manager of the Claygate and Surbiton stores.  

‘Manager: Simon Baile

Simon has been in The Wine Trade since he was in nappies, and was largely weaned on wine courtesy of his father who is a Master of Wine.

Having spent his formative years working in various branches of Oddbins, from the age of 13, he spent his first few years in the wine trade after University garnering experience in wine retail and wholesale, wine importing and also a short stint in the distilleries of Scotland.

During this time his passion for small family wineries from around the world grew. He started Ex Cellar in 1998 in Ashtead, Surrey, and the company has steadily grown over the years. It now has 8 shops in London, Surrey and Paris.

Throughout this time, Simon's belief that the provenance of wine is paramount has remained steadfast. As the company continues to grow he still has a determination to discover new wine makers and bring his customers wines that are both great value and fantastic quality.’

It would appear that Simon Baile is being kept busy as he hasn't had time to update his profile recently – it is now 4 shops not 8 and there is no mention of the Oddbins debacle...  

Some of Simon Baile's creditors might wish that he had stayed 'in nappies'! 

 

Mrs Kathryn Baile to buy the assets of Simon Baile's ExCellar Ltd?

Administrator Stephen Hunt on Linkedin: Insolvency, Litigation, Forensics

On 4th October 2012 a new company called Baileco Ltd was formed with 42 year-old Kathryn Baile as the sole director with a registered office at 145-157 St John Street, London EC1 – a well known accommodation address. On 14th November 2012 the company changed its name to Prebinvest Ltd. From a filing with Companies House on 4th December 2012 Prebinvest Ltd had a declared capital of £18,158.  

Jim's Loire understands that Prebinvest Ltd has lodged with Stephen Hunt of Griffins, the newly appointed administrator, a bid for £75,000 for the assets of ExCellar Ltd. The bid was apparently submitted soon after the administration order was made by a solicitor with the assurance that it represented the true value of the company's assets.

In December 2012 Baile told OLN: “Excellar will still be a family-owned business, it always will be." OLN 14.12.2012.

I assume that Stephen Hunt will use his forensic skills to establish the events that led up to ExCellar Ltd going into administration. Whether Prebinvest was formed specifically last October to take over the assets of the failing ExCellar Ltd or whether it was set up for some other purpose. From filings at Companies House no details were supplied as to the nature of the new company's business.  Was Simon Baile, as the sole director, aware that ExCellar would be unlikely to be able to pay for any orders placed in the latter half of 2012? This would include a substantial order of Champagne. Also whether any of the £75,000 bid by Prebinvest Ltd has come from ExCellar Ltd? But I'm sure Mr Hunt knows better than I do the questions that should and need to be asked. 

From Linkedin Stephen Hunt's specialities: 'Fraud investigation, and investigation of claims against professionals for fraud or negligence, including Licensed Insolvency Practitioners. Complex insolvency situations and rescue. International Insolvency.'