Oxford: Thresher franchisees get free legal advice

Thresher/First Quench Retailing franchisees are to attend a free legal advice session following the announcement of the appointment of administrators to the insolvent company.

Thresher franchisees who operate retail off-licences may find themselves unable to obtain adequate stock in the run up to Christmas and discover that if they cease trading they will be left with substantial property liabilities.

Leading UK law firm Blake Lapthorn is inviting all franchisees to a meeting at its Oxford office on Wednesday November 4 where they will be able to obtain answers to their questions about the administration process and their likely future from franchise, insolvency, property and licensing lawyers.

Geoffrey Sturgess a franchise law specialist at Blake Lapthorn and Affiliate Member of the British Franchise Association, said: "Franchisees find themselves in a very precarious situation if the franchisor goes bust. Individual franchisees may not have the resources, expertise or muscle to do anything but hope that the administrators sell them to a new franchisor and one which they would have chosen as a suitable, ethical franchisor. Acting collectively they can afford the expertise and have the muscle to take advantage of what may be a 'once in a contract' chance to improve their position or limit their losses."

There are approximately 80 Thresher franchisees, a number of whom were previously advised by Blake Lapthorn at the time they entered the Thresher network. Blake Lapthorn recently advised the majority of the Coffee Republic franchisees following the insolvent administration of the Coffee Republic Group.