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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2019/jun/12/philip-green-arcadia-creditors-rescue-vote-jobs-business-live
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| Arcadia: Landlords back rescue plan, but 1,000 jobs will be lost - business live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Simply getting its CVA approved today doesn’t guarantee Arcadia’s long-term survival. | |
| Nelson Blackley of Nottingham Business School, said points out that other retailers have tried restructuring themselves, but still failed. | |
| Given the crisis on the high street, Sir Philip Green needs to innovate, and possibly shut more stores too. | |
| “What today’s decision hasn’t changed is the level of competition in the fashion retail sector, where online disruptors, such as ASOS and Bohoo.com as well as fast fashion retailers with physical stores such as Zara, H&M and Primark, all of whom have all taken share from Arcadia. | |
| As recent history has demonstrated, a CVA is certainly not a guarantee of retail survival. British Home Stores, Austin Reed and Toys R Us, amongst others, all went down the CVA route but eventually failed. “ | |
| My colleague Sarah Butler’s also heard that Land Securities, one of the UK’s biggest commercial property firms, backed Arcadia’s CVA. | |
| We mentioned this morning that Landsec, with its 12 Arcadia stores, could play a crucial role today, along with other waverers such as the Crown Estate who also backed the plan eventually. | |
| Hearing that Arcadia's CVA passed after a key wavering landlord, Land Securities voted in favour of the deal.. | |
| The FT’s Jonathan Eley says Arcadia’s landlords have resented paying the bill for the company’s poor performance. | |
| He writes: | |
| Many property companies bitterly resented the terms of the CVA [Company Voluntary Arrangement], saying that it was opportunistic and forced creditors to foot the bill for years of under-investment in the core operations. | |
| Arcadia has said it will invest £135m over three years in refurbishing stores, improving its website and building more distribution capability. But this represents a lower rate of capital spending than seen in previous years and is being financed by improved profit and cash flow, not new investment into the business. | |
| Landlords who voted in favour of the plan will share around £40m from a compensation fund, and if Arcadia is sold in the future they will also take 20 per cent of any equity value ascribed to it. | |
| We have confirmation that around 1,000 jobs will be lost at Arcadia, through the store closures outlined in the restructuring deal. | |
| Arcadia's CVA passing is good news for about 17,000 staff at the group's chains including Topshop, Burton and Dorothy Perkins, but about 1,000 UK jobs will go as about 50 stores close in the restructure.. | |
| Stephanie White, Associate and real estate expert at Stevens & Bolton LLP, points out that Arcadia could face a legal challenge from unhappy creditors. | Stephanie White, Associate and real estate expert at Stevens & Bolton LLP, points out that Arcadia could face a legal challenge from unhappy creditors. |
| Here’s her take on today’s agreement: | Here’s her take on today’s agreement: |
| “Landlords struck a compromise to avoid the group passing into the hands of the Administrators, which could be catastrophic for the high street. | “Landlords struck a compromise to avoid the group passing into the hands of the Administrators, which could be catastrophic for the high street. |
| “Landlords pushed the Arcadia group to come up with a better deal and they were right to do that because Arcadia has come up with a proposal that landlords felt able to give their backing. | “Landlords pushed the Arcadia group to come up with a better deal and they were right to do that because Arcadia has come up with a proposal that landlords felt able to give their backing. |
| “However, Arcadia would be wise to keep the champagne on ice until the period to mount a legal challenge has passed. The deal did not have unanimous support and there is still a risk that the landlords who did not back the deal could find grounds to challenge it.” | “However, Arcadia would be wise to keep the champagne on ice until the period to mount a legal challenge has passed. The deal did not have unanimous support and there is still a risk that the landlords who did not back the deal could find grounds to challenge it.” |
| Frank Field, a long-time critic of Philip Green, is calling on the retail chief to give “binding promises” that Arcadia’s pensions will be fully guaranteed. | Frank Field, a long-time critic of Philip Green, is calling on the retail chief to give “binding promises” that Arcadia’s pensions will be fully guaranteed. |
| Parliament’s Work and Pensions Committee (which Field chairs) has written to the Pensions Regulator seeking “further clarity and assurances” over the cash and assets that will be available to plug Arcadia’s massive pension scheme deficit. | Parliament’s Work and Pensions Committee (which Field chairs) has written to the Pensions Regulator seeking “further clarity and assurances” over the cash and assets that will be available to plug Arcadia’s massive pension scheme deficit. |
| Field explains: | Field explains: |
| “Now that, thankfully, Arcadia’s life has been extended, the Committee will try to ensure that the Pensions Regulator gets an effective programme in place to ensure that Arcadia staff receive in full the pensions that Sir Philip and Lady Green have promised them. | “Now that, thankfully, Arcadia’s life has been extended, the Committee will try to ensure that the Pensions Regulator gets an effective programme in place to ensure that Arcadia staff receive in full the pensions that Sir Philip and Lady Green have promised them. |
| Last week the Greens agreed to put £25m more into the pensions pot, having been asked to cough up £50m to fix its black hole. | Last week the Greens agreed to put £25m more into the pensions pot, having been asked to cough up £50m to fix its black hole. |
| Sir Philip Green agrees to put £25m into Arcadia pension fund | Sir Philip Green agrees to put £25m into Arcadia pension fund |
| Intu, one of Arcadia’s biggest landlords, has heavily criticised today’s decision after being outvoted by other creditors. | Intu, one of Arcadia’s biggest landlords, has heavily criticised today’s decision after being outvoted by other creditors. |
| Intu says the CVA gives Arcadia an unfair advantage against other retailers, through a lower rent bill. | Intu says the CVA gives Arcadia an unfair advantage against other retailers, through a lower rent bill. |
| .@intu - one of big retail landlords, forced to accept lower rent:"terms of Arcadia CVA are unfair to our full rent paying tenants: not in the interests of any other stakeholders, including intu shareholders and 130k people whose jobs rely on success of our shopping centres" | .@intu - one of big retail landlords, forced to accept lower rent:"terms of Arcadia CVA are unfair to our full rent paying tenants: not in the interests of any other stakeholders, including intu shareholders and 130k people whose jobs rely on success of our shopping centres" |
| Rating agency Moody’s say today’s rescue deal undermines the financial health of UK property firms. | Rating agency Moody’s say today’s rescue deal undermines the financial health of UK property firms. |
| Ramzi Kattan, a vice president at Moody’s explains: | Ramzi Kattan, a vice president at Moody’s explains: |
| “Arcadia’s landlords have approved company voluntary arrangements that will close stores and slash rents. | “Arcadia’s landlords have approved company voluntary arrangements that will close stores and slash rents. |
| This is credit negative for retail property owners, who face continued weak operating performance, with declining footfall and retail sales, and downward pressure on rents.” | This is credit negative for retail property owners, who face continued weak operating performance, with declining footfall and retail sales, and downward pressure on rents.” |
| That explains why landlords rejected the original CVA a week ago, forcing Philip Green to sweeten the deal (with smaller rent cuts). | That explains why landlords rejected the original CVA a week ago, forcing Philip Green to sweeten the deal (with smaller rent cuts). |
| Ultimately, landlords couldn’t face the prospect of shutting hundreds of Arcadia stores across the UK, says Joanne Fearnley, partner and a commercial property expert at law firm Gordons. | Ultimately, landlords couldn’t face the prospect of shutting hundreds of Arcadia stores across the UK, says Joanne Fearnley, partner and a commercial property expert at law firm Gordons. |
| “Ultimately, the risk to the further demise of the High Street and the loss of big names - Topshop, Burton, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins - was too much of a bitter pill for landlords to swallow and they have settled for large rent reductions instead. | “Ultimately, the risk to the further demise of the High Street and the loss of big names - Topshop, Burton, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins - was too much of a bitter pill for landlords to swallow and they have settled for large rent reductions instead. |
| This means 23 stores will close and the rest of Arcadia’s 500 plus stores will keep trading. The threat of administration has been lifted and jobs saved…for now. | This means 23 stores will close and the rest of Arcadia’s 500 plus stores will keep trading. The threat of administration has been lifted and jobs saved…for now. |
| But....she also warns that Arcadia’s long-term future is still unclear: | But....she also warns that Arcadia’s long-term future is still unclear: |
| “As we are seeing with other retailers who have followed the same route, time will tell whether or not this is a temporary saving or whether the dent to the confidence of landlords will result in them putting in place contingency plans on the prime locations in particular, so that the demise of Arcadia becomes inevitable over time.” | “As we are seeing with other retailers who have followed the same route, time will tell whether or not this is a temporary saving or whether the dent to the confidence of landlords will result in them putting in place contingency plans on the prime locations in particular, so that the demise of Arcadia becomes inevitable over time.” |
| Reaction is flooding in: | Reaction is flooding in: |
| Chloe Collins at GlobalData ‘‘Although Arcadia’s CVA has been approved, it is unsurprising it faced backlash from some landlords who have doubts about the retailer’s future .. Topshop and Topman still have a strong following .. Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins now irrelevant" | Chloe Collins at GlobalData ‘‘Although Arcadia’s CVA has been approved, it is unsurprising it faced backlash from some landlords who have doubts about the retailer’s future .. Topshop and Topman still have a strong following .. Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins now irrelevant" |
| Melanie Leech, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, on Arcadia CVAs passing: “Property owners will now want to see Arcadia’s leadership committed to delivering its turnaround plan to restore the long-term health of the business.” | Melanie Leech, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, on Arcadia CVAs passing: “Property owners will now want to see Arcadia’s leadership committed to delivering its turnaround plan to restore the long-term health of the business.” |
| Here’s the BBC’s Danni Hewson: | Here’s the BBC’s Danni Hewson: |
| So #Arcadia gets its CVA - a fresh start or delaying the inevitable? Shoppers, and I imagine landlords, will be watching to see what the Green’s do with this second chance. #retail | So #Arcadia gets its CVA - a fresh start or delaying the inevitable? Shoppers, and I imagine landlords, will be watching to see what the Green’s do with this second chance. #retail |
| And here’s James Child of Estates Gazette: | And here’s James Child of Estates Gazette: |
| Arcadia CVA narrowly passes after protracted discussions with hesitant landlords. No real structural change as far as I can see minus rental reduction / cover. Not sure what the long term plan is but it feels like sticking a plaster on seriously damaged retail empire | Arcadia CVA narrowly passes after protracted discussions with hesitant landlords. No real structural change as far as I can see minus rental reduction / cover. Not sure what the long term plan is but it feels like sticking a plaster on seriously damaged retail empire |
| By approving Arcadia’a CVA, its landlords have saved the company from collapsing into administration. | By approving Arcadia’a CVA, its landlords have saved the company from collapsing into administration. |
| That means that your local Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Burton store will be open as usual tomorrow. Arcadia’s 18,000 staff will still have a job too. | That means that your local Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Burton store will be open as usual tomorrow. Arcadia’s 18,000 staff will still have a job too. |
| But... as part of the deal, some 23 stores will shut, costing hundreds of jobs. Another 25 or so are earmarked to close in future too. | But... as part of the deal, some 23 stores will shut, costing hundreds of jobs. Another 25 or so are earmarked to close in future too. |
| Sir Philip Green's Arcadia retail empire has been saved by a rescue deal that will trigger the closure of 48 stores and a thousand jobs. The plan, a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), was approved by Arcadia's creditors after five hours discussion https://t.co/hLivEecGjI | Sir Philip Green's Arcadia retail empire has been saved by a rescue deal that will trigger the closure of 48 stores and a thousand jobs. The plan, a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), was approved by Arcadia's creditors after five hours discussion https://t.co/hLivEecGjI |
| Sky News’s Mark Kleinman points out that Arcadia faces further hurdles: | Sky News’s Mark Kleinman points out that Arcadia faces further hurdles: |
| Crucial milestone for Sir Philip Green as required majority of Arcadia Group creditors approve restructuring of tycoon's high street empire. Next key moment will be clearing the 28-day CVA challenge period. | Crucial milestone for Sir Philip Green as required majority of Arcadia Group creditors approve restructuring of tycoon's high street empire. Next key moment will be clearing the 28-day CVA challenge period. |
| This rescue deal will put Arcadia on a firmer financial footing, says its clearly relieved CEO, Ian Grabiner. | This rescue deal will put Arcadia on a firmer financial footing, says its clearly relieved CEO, Ian Grabiner. |
| He says: | He says: |
| “We are extremely grateful to our creditors for supporting these proposals and to Lady Green for her continued support. After many months of engaging with all our key stakeholders, taking on board their feedback, and sharing our turnaround plans, the future of Arcadia, our thousands of colleagues, and our extensive supplier base is now on a much firmer footing. | “We are extremely grateful to our creditors for supporting these proposals and to Lady Green for her continued support. After many months of engaging with all our key stakeholders, taking on board their feedback, and sharing our turnaround plans, the future of Arcadia, our thousands of colleagues, and our extensive supplier base is now on a much firmer footing. |
| “From today, with the right structure in place to reduce our cost base and create a stable financial platform for the Group, we can execute our business turnaround plan to drive growth through our digital and wholesale channels, while ensuring our store portfolio remains at the heart of our customer offer. | “From today, with the right structure in place to reduce our cost base and create a stable financial platform for the Group, we can execute our business turnaround plan to drive growth through our digital and wholesale channels, while ensuring our store portfolio remains at the heart of our customer offer. |
| “I am confident about the future of Arcadia and our ability to provide our customers with the very best multi-channel experience, deliver the fashion trends that they demand, and ultimately inspire a renewed loyalty to our brands that will support the long-term growth of our business. | “I am confident about the future of Arcadia and our ability to provide our customers with the very best multi-channel experience, deliver the fashion trends that they demand, and ultimately inspire a renewed loyalty to our brands that will support the long-term growth of our business. |
| “Finally, I would like to thank all of our team and advisors for their support throughout the CVA process. It has been incredibly challenging for all concerned but I believe this is the right outcome for all our creditors.” | “Finally, I would like to thank all of our team and advisors for their support throughout the CVA process. It has been incredibly challenging for all concerned but I believe this is the right outcome for all our creditors.” |