Latest news with #Pendragon
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
‘Highly recommended' car dealership with nearly perfect review scores suddenly shuts
A HIGHLY recommended car dealership with excellent reviews has closed suddenly. The Evans Halshaw location ceased trading quietly earlier this month with no warning given. One of the firms 'direct hubs' the small location in Stoke on Trent ceased trading without a word. It boasted glowing reviews from happy customers and an impressive 4.7 stars on Google. The little site in the carpark of a Morrisons could be used by locals to sell or part exchange their motors. Evans Halshaw has wound down operations in the UK with several dealerships and locations closing across the country. The move comes after the firm's parent company, Pendragon, was taken over by US-based Lithia Motors last year. With the takeover restructuring was implemented and it was reported in February that several dealerships would close. The Evans Halshaw Renault and Dacia site in Doncaster and its Vauxhall sites in Portsmouth and Wolverhampton were earmarked for closure. The firms Edinburgh Vauxhall dealership was sold off to Arnold Clark as part of the restructuring. Several of its direct hub sites were also slated to cease trading with the Stoke location shutting up shop this month. Lithia reportedly cut 250 jobs last year when the US business killed off the 'CarShop' used car supermarket brand. The Stoke Evans Halshaw Direct Pod was closed without warning and still shows as open online. Why are so many car dealerships closing down? By Summer Raemason According to Business Rescue Expert there are multiple reasons why car dealerships are folding across the UK. The first major factor is rising online car sales which are beating in-person sales at dealerships. With an extensive range of comparison and second-hand sites to chose from, may car buyers don't even step foot into a dealership anymore. Secondly, the actual cost to physically run the sites has soared. Rent, wages and energy bills have all been increasing for roughly the past five years, putting many out of pocket. Car manufacturing across the globe was also hit by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2022 which made it difficult to produce new motors. The high demand with limited supply created a backlog, which although has eased, is still having an impact on the industry. A third reason for recent closures is the shift to electric cars. They are becoming more popular, given the Government initiative to be Net Zero in 2050. The industry is also affected when companies merge or are bought by rivals. This may lead to some independent names falling victim to the ongoing spate of closures. The only indication of the impending closure was a small line of text buried away on the Evans Halshaw site. It read: "The following dealerships ceased trading in May 2025: Evans Halshaw Direct Pod Stoke." The Sun contacted Evans Halshaw for comment, with the company saying: "The Direct pod at Stoke has now closed for business." The direct pod in Stoke boasted glowing online reviews with dozens of customers offering four or five stars. An employee, James, was frequently mentioned and applauded for his good communication. The site also offered a "very good price" to customers looking to sell their cars according to the reviews. Customer David Pratt said: "Many thanks to James at Car Store Direct who made the whole experience of selling my car as easy and trouble free as possible, even providing a better price for my car than a number of competitors. "A very fair and professional service I would have no hesitation in recommending my friend's and relatives to Car Store Direct and James in particular." Stephen Wood, another former customer added: "Highly recommend James and the service we received. "Quick efficient and easy, money arrived in our account earlier than expected, well done." Craig Kennedy said: "Sold my car today and I must say the overall experience via carstore has been fantastic. "James was a pleasure to deal with. I would definitely deal with James and the company again if needed." Jayne Taylor said: "James was very helpful we turned up with a flat battery he helped to restart the car he was very polite and any queries were dealt with really promptly a very easy selling of my car." All four customers offered five star reviews to the Evans Halshaw location. Evans Halshaw confirmed that eight dealerships ceased trading earlier this year. Dacia Doncaster, Dacia Sheffield, Renault Doncaster, Vauxhall Portsmouth, Vauxhall Wolverhampton, Evans Halshaw Direct Pod St Albans, Evans Halshaw Direct Pod Hanworth and Evans Halshaw Direct Pod Orpington all shut shop in January. 3
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dumbarton FC deal agreed to exit administration
A proposal has been agreed that would allow Dumbarton to exit administration and pay their creditors in full, the Scottish League 1 club's administrator has announced. The Sons were placed into administration and docked 15 points by the Scottish Professional Football League in November after years of financial turmoil. The deal, which has yet to be finalised, with Oxford-based Gareth Phillips would wipe out the club's debt, with working capital made available for next season and litigation ended against the businessman's Pendragon Group Limited. By then, they will be playing in League 2, with Stephen Farrell's side already relegated and sitting bottom of the third tier. What can happen & when in final weeks of Scottish season? Arbroath clinch League One title after 'amazing' turnaround On being appointed administrator in November, Quantuma said insolvency was the result of non-receipt of "significant" funds owed from the sale of land in 2021. Accounts until 31 May 2023 later showed the club were due to receive gross proceeds of £1.85m. A statement on Dumbarton's X account now reveals that "heads of terms with Phillips have been agreed "that would see the club exit administration solvently and with all creditors paid in full". It continues: "Fans will be aware that the administrators have been engaged in litigation against Pendragon Group Limited, of which Mr Phillips is the principal. "The full terms of the proposal are subject to confidential negotiations. However, as part of the proposal, the litigation with Pendragon would be concluded on the basis Pendragon would not hold security over the club's assets. "Mr Phillips would introduce sufficient funding to stabilise the trading of the club going forward and the administrators are required to be satisfied that there is security for cash flow and a business plan to provide support for the club for the next three seasons. "A non-refundable deposit has been received by the administrators, which will cover any short-term trading shortfall whilst the transaction is being negotiated, until the target completion date in early May." Dumbarton fans had raised more than £120,000 to keep the club running in the present season. Earlier this month, the Sons Supporters' Trust had urged Phillips "to work in the best interests of the club" and hoped the land would be returned to the club. The Trust claimed that Phillips owns 80% of shares in Cognitive Capital, which holds a majority shareholding in the football club, and is behind Pendragon, "which currently holds the charge over land at the stadium". It also urged the sale of the club "to a third party who have the genuine interests of the club and footballing community at heart, not simply a desire to build houses". "We also note that the company, More Homes DFC Ltd, is now dissolved via a compulsory strike off notice," the trust added. "This is the company that the 'development land' was sold to."
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dumbarton FC deal agreed to exit administration
A proposal has been agreed that would allow Dumbarton to exit administration and pay their creditors in full, the Scottish League 1 club's administrator has Sons were placed into administration and docked 15 points by the Scottish Professional Football League in November after years of financial turmoil. The deal, which has yet to be finalised, with Oxford-based Gareth Phillips would wipe out the club's debt, with working capital made available for next season and litigation ended against the businessman's Pendragon Group then, they will be playing in League 2, with Stephen Farrell's side already relegated and sitting bottom of the third tier. On being appointed administrator in November, Quantuma said insolvency was the result of non-receipt of "significant" funds owed from the sale of land in until 31 May 2023 later showed the club were due to receive gross proceeds of £1.85m.A statement on Dumbarton's X account now reveals that "heads of terms with Phillips have been agreed "that would see the club exit administration solvently and with all creditors paid in full".It continues: "Fans will be aware that the administrators have been engaged in litigation against Pendragon Group Limited, of which Mr Phillips is the principal."The full terms of the proposal are subject to confidential negotiations. However, as part of the proposal, the litigation with Pendragon would be concluded on the basis Pendragon would not hold security over the club's assets."Mr Phillips would introduce sufficient funding to stabilise the trading of the club going forward and the administrators are required to be satisfied that there is security for cash flow and a business plan to provide support for the club for the next three seasons."A non-refundable deposit has been received by the administrators, which will cover any short-term trading shortfall whilst the transaction is being negotiated, until the target completion date in early May."Dumbarton fans had raised more than £120,000 to keep the club running in the present this month, the Sons Supporters' Trust had urged Phillips "to work in the best interests of the club" and hoped the land would be returned to the Trust claimed that Phillips owns 80% of shares in Cognitive Capital, which holds a majority shareholding in the football club, and is behind Pendragon, "which currently holds the charge over land at the stadium".It also urged the sale of the club "to a third party who have the genuine interests of the club and footballing community at heart, not simply a desire to build houses"."We also note that the company, More Homes DFC Ltd, is now dissolved via a compulsory strike off notice," the trust added. "This is the company that the 'development land' was sold to."
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Business news: PNW names Humanities dean and faculty promotions
Nine Purdue University Northwest faculty members recently received approval by the Purdue University Board of Trustees for academic promotions starting in the 2025-26 academic year, according to a release. Faculty members promoted to the rank of professor include: Christopher Belous, professor of Couple and Family Therapy; Patti Ludwig-Beymer, professor of Nursing; Claudia Mich, professor of Marketing; Maged Mikhail, professor of Mechatronics Engineering Technology; Yu Ouyang, professor of Political Science; and Shengyong Zhang, professor of Mechanical Engineering. Faculty members promoted to the rank of associate professor include: Patrick Keegan, associate professor of Education; and Afshin Zahraee, associate professor of Construction Engineering and Management Technology. Faculty member Shontrai Irving was promoted to the rank of clinical professor of Business Law. Following a national search, Richard Severe will join Purdue University Northwest as dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, effective July 1, a release said. Severe most recently served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Valparaiso University. He previously served at Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey. At PNW, Severe will lead an academic college offering more than 20 programs at the undergraduate, master's and applied doctoral levels. He earned his Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from Purdue University in West Lafayette. He earned his master's degree in English Literature Education and his bachelor's degree in English, both from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical (A&M) University, the release said. Chaosium Inc., the award-winning game company founded in 1975, has donated books and multiple starter sets of its role-playing games — Call of Cthulhu, RuneQuest, and Pendragon — to Valparaiso University's new Center for Games and Interactive Entertainment, a release said. The Center for Games and Interactive Entertainment, which opened in February with support from the Ball Venture Fund, is housed in the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts. The Center offers a space for students and visitors to play, study, and create games of all types — from card games to digital experiences. For information, contact Martin Buinicki at The Friends of the Kankakee voted April 1 to create a budget line and start raising funds to buy conservation land on the Kankakee River in Indiana, a release said. The group was formed in 2000 to promote the Grand Kankakee Marsh National Wildlife Refuge as approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1999. The original concepts for the Refuge included 20,000 acres of restored wetlands and floodplain connecting existing Indiana DNR Lands, the release said. The Indiana fundraising project will be called the Grand Kankakee Marsh Fund. The Grand Marsh Fund budget line will be restricted for use in Indiana and has been seeded with a $5,000 donation from a former board member, the release said. For information, call 765-427-4345. Franciscan Health Michigan City is partnering with the city and the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention for a new initiative in May and June aimed at helping residents get moving to improve their overall health and well-being, a release said. Move with the Mayor is scheduled to take place on May 3 at Krueger Memorial Park, 801 Liberty Trail; on May 24 at Pullman Field Park, 550 W. 4th St.; May 31 at Water Tower Park at 301 Broadway St. and June 14 at the Michigan City Police Department at 1201 E. Michigan Blvd. Registration begins on-site at 10:30 a.m. followed by a brief health talk by a physician or clinical staff member and a variety of physical activities. The events are free and open to the public. For information, contact Nila Williams at Franciscan Health's Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults program is hosting free training sessions this spring for those interested in becoming court-appointed guardians, according to a release. The Lake County courts collaborate with Franciscan Health to provide trained, supervised volunteers to serve as court-appointed agents to assist elderly and incapacitated adults. The program, now in its 23rd year, partners with programs serving elderly and incapacitated adults across Lake County to develop a continuum of elder law advocacy and guardianship services, the release said. Training for new volunteers is scheduled to take place during seven sessions from 5-8 p.m. on weeknights (excluding Fridays) from April 21-30 at Franciscan Health Dyer Medical Pavillion South, 2150 Gettler St., Suite 200. For more information or to register, contact Julie Mignogna at 219-407-6762 or
Chicago Tribune
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Business news: PNW names Humanities dean and faculty promotions
PNW announces faculty promotions Nine Purdue University Northwest faculty members recently received approval by the Purdue University Board of Trustees for academic promotions starting in the 2025-26 academic year, according to a release. Faculty members promoted to the rank of professor include: Christopher Belous, professor of Couple and Family Therapy; Patti Ludwig-Beymer, professor of Nursing; Claudia Mich, professor of Marketing; Maged Mikhail, professor of Mechatronics Engineering Technology; Yu Ouyang, professor of Political Science; and Shengyong Zhang, professor of Mechanical Engineering. Faculty members promoted to the rank of associate professor include: Patrick Keegan, associate professor of Education; and Afshin Zahraee, associate professor of Construction Engineering and Management Technology. Faculty member Shontrai Irving was promoted to the rank of clinical professor of Business Law. Dean named of the College of Humanities at PNW Following a national search, Richard Severe will join Purdue University Northwest as dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, effective July 1, a release said. Severe most recently served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Valparaiso University. He previously served at Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey. At PNW, Severe will lead an academic college offering more than 20 programs at the undergraduate, master's and applied doctoral levels. He earned his Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from Purdue University in West Lafayette. He earned his master's degree in English Literature Education and his bachelor's degree in English, both from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical (A&M) University, the release said. Chaosium donates game sets to VU Chaosium Inc., the award-winning game company founded in 1975, has donated books and multiple starter sets of its role-playing games — Call of Cthulhu, RuneQuest, and Pendragon — to Valparaiso University's new Center for Games and Interactive Entertainment, a release said. The Center for Games and Interactive Entertainment, which opened in February with support from the Ball Venture Fund, is housed in the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts. The Center offers a space for students and visitors to play, study, and create games of all types — from card games to digital experiences. For information, contact Martin Buinicki at Friends group plans Indiana land purchase The Friends of the Kankakee voted April 1 to create a budget line and start raising funds to buy conservation land on the Kankakee River in Indiana, a release said. The group was formed in 2000 to promote the Grand Kankakee Marsh National Wildlife Refuge as approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1999. The original concepts for the Refuge included 20,000 acres of restored wetlands and floodplain connecting existing Indiana DNR Lands, the release said. The Indiana fundraising project will be called the Grand Kankakee Marsh Fund. The Grand Marsh Fund budget line will be restricted for use in Indiana and has been seeded with a $5,000 donation from a former board member, the release said. For information, call 765-427-4345. Franciscan partners bring health initiative to Michigan City Franciscan Health Michigan City is partnering with the city and the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention for a new initiative in May and June aimed at helping residents get moving to improve their overall health and well-being, a release said. Move with the Mayor is scheduled to take place on May 3 at Krueger Memorial Park, 801 Liberty Trail; on May 24 at Pullman Field Park, 550 W. 4th St.; May 31 at Water Tower Park at 301 Broadway St. and June 14 at the Michigan City Police Department at 1201 E. Michigan Blvd. Registration begins on-site at 10:30 a.m. followed by a brief health talk by a physician or clinical staff member and a variety of physical activities. The events are free and open to the public. For information, contact Nila Williams at Franciscan VASIA program hosts training Franciscan Health's Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults program is hosting free training sessions this spring for those interested in becoming court-appointed guardians, according to a release. The Lake County courts collaborate with Franciscan Health to provide trained, supervised volunteers to serve as court-appointed agents to assist elderly and incapacitated adults. The program, now in its 23rd year, partners with programs serving elderly and incapacitated adults across Lake County to develop a continuum of elder law advocacy and guardianship services, the release said. Training for new volunteers is scheduled to take place during seven sessions from 5-8 p.m. on weeknights (excluding Fridays) from April 21-30 at Franciscan Health Dyer Medical Pavillion South, 2150 Gettler St., Suite 200. For more information or to register, contact Julie Mignogna at 219-407-6762 or
