The London Lounge

I ordered a leather case from Swaine Adeney Brigg several months ago. I tried to contact them to find out what happened to my order. Neither my emails nor my calls got answered.

Now, I found the following entry that notes that SAB is "in administration": http://opencorporates.com/companies/gb/04672950

Does someone know what this means exactly?

Many thanks for your help!

Being in administration means that it has certain protection from its creditors, while its financial problems are addressed; this usually means until an investment 'angel' can be found with a bit more nouse than the current management to buy the company and set it straight - Hardy Amies was another recent example. What happens to your order will depend on the outcome. I imagine that the history and glamour of the name, as well as its client list and royal warrants will mean that it will be saved. Mind you, I have never, ever had an e-mail response from them over anything and I expect that this is because they are more used to the telephone but all these great firms are going to have to bite the bullet of the internet age at some stage.
NJS

I bought something from them not so long ago and visited their boutique in St James, they seem open and well.

NJS: Many thanks for your answer.

All over the world: Did you purchase a readily available item or did you place an order (for an item to be made for you)?

Newtrane - not at all. I shouldn't worry too much. Bentley nearly went bust in the early 1930s and, thanks to its Le Mans wins, was saved by its biggest competitor, Rolls Royce. I suppose there might be a concern that some heartless, myopic, big, lumpen, international competitor might just bite SAB's head off: let's hope not - but even they'd be sure to see customers straight first. I'd be very surprised to see this firm go with the FRWL James Bond case connection etc..
NJS

I just hope they won't be taken over by Louis Vuitton or another one of those newly rich philistine firms.

Newtrane, I purchased an item which had already been made.

All over the world wrote:I just hope they won't be taken over by Louis Vuitton or another one of those newly rich philistine firms.

Newtrane, I purchased an item which had already been made.

i hope not too. If they are, there's a good chance that they will be wiped out and join Sulka,Callard & Bowser sweets and all the other great names and products lost to us through corporate greed. Shades of 'The Pelican Brief' all over the place now, in the spirit of our mean little age.

I have heard that they have been restructured and will continue. I mean anyone who can sell an umbrella with the line: "Rain sounds so much better on silk, sir" deserves to survive, come rain come shine!
NJS

NJS wrote:I have heard that they have been restructured and will continue. I mean anyone who can sell an umbrella with the line: "Rain sounds so much better on silk, sir" deserves to survive, come rain come shine!
NJS

Is that an actual quotation?

All over the world wrote:

NJS wrote:I have heard that they have been restructured and will continue. I mean anyone who can sell an umbrella with the line: "Rain sounds so much better on silk, sir" deserves to survive, come rain come shine!
NJS

Is that an actual quotation?

Yes. The salesman sold me a bespoke umbrella with a rosewood handle and silver lapband, a horn ferrule and a silk canopy, when they were in the bigger shop in Piccadilly, circa 1986.
NJS

More good news: I just wrote to them by e-mail and had a helpful, instant, personal reply.
NJS