ANPA branch of Big Bazar in Gouda
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 20:21
Another three companies want to file for bankruptcy for Big Bazar. These are two suppliers who supply motor oil, among other things. They demand 150,000 euros from the company. An employment agency asks 30,000 euros because of unpaid temporary workers.
Joost Konings, who assists a large part of the creditors with his company Invorderingsbedrijf, tells NOS that the total amount of claims has risen to more than 1.8 million euros. According to Konings, most of the creditors are suppliers. Today, a company was also added that publishes digital advertising brochures.
There are also two companies that try to get their money through other collection companies, says Konings. It would concern a company that demands 700,000 euros for unpaid fireworks and another supplier that wants 500,000 euros.
Last week, a shop landlord in Goes, who still receives rent from the company, already filed for the bankruptcy of Big Bazar. This can be averted if the chain pays 20,000 euros. A court hearing is scheduled for August 29. If Big Bazar makes the payments, the bankruptcy filings are over.
Deserted
According to the creditor, Big Bazar “continues to delay in providing information about the payment of the debts”. Konings: “Creditors hear nothing and are afraid. They feel abandoned.”
Big Bazar owner Jerke Kooistra and his lawyer could not be reached for a response to the new bankruptcy filings. The retail chain has been in rent arrears for some time in various cities. Last month, two stores were evacuated by court order.
The retail chain previously announced that it would close at least twenty of its 120 stores this year due to a dispute over rent. According to Kooistra, this is necessary to keep the company healthy. At the same time, he announced on Monday that he wants to open many new stores this year. He tells ANP that eighty shops are currently doing well and twenty are not healthy. There are also twenty ‘doubt shops’.
Huge cost increases
Kooistra previously told NOS that Big Bazar is facing huge cost increases, while consumers are spending less. “And we are often stuck with older rental contracts. They are indexed every year, so you have to think of between 6 and 11 percent.”
Creditors are now starting to lose their patience. Konings: “My clients don’t want to wait anymore.” He says he last had contact with Kooistra and his lawyers three days ago.
“In previous telephone conversations with me, Kooistra seemed to be willing to take seriously creditors who reported themselves. He asked for financial statements several times. We sent them. Despite that, nothing was paid.”
2023-08-17 18:21:47
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