After the “Covid-19 years”, marked by exceptional measures to support the economy, the business situation has clearly become tense in Charente-Maritime. Particularly since the start of the school year in September. Statistics from the commercial courts of La Rochelle and Saintes, respectively chaired by Alain Bouchet and Janick Martin…
After the “Covid-19 years”, marked by exceptional measures to support the economy, the business situation has clearly become tense in Charente-Maritime. Particularly since the start of the school year in September. The statistics from the commercial courts of La Rochelle and Saintes, respectively chaired by Alain Bouchet and Janick Martin, attest to this.
As of December 10, there were 580 orders to pay – by which a creditor demands to be paid by his debtor – at the La Rochelle court registry. That is +26% compared to the whole of 2022, but above all +35.5% compared to 2019, the so-called “reference” year because the last one before the crisis linked to the pandemic. An equally clear trend in La Rochelle: 879 payment orders – “a strong indicator”, notes Alain Bouchet – as of December 10, compared to 582 for all of 2022, i.e. + 51% over one year and + 19.5% compared to to 2019.
Business leaders in difficulty come to see us too late, it’s regrettable
Despite poor cash flow, linked to the general context of falling consumption and rising costs (materials, energy, salaries, etc.), creditors such as the State (guaranteed loan), Urssaf or leave funds paid are clearly seeking to have deferred or late debts paid.
Post-Covid, this “purge” phase anxiously awaited for one to two years, therefore appears to be well and truly underway in Charente-Maritime. Although the figures for the whole court of appeal (departments of Vendée, Charente-Maritime and Deux-Sèvres) are even more alarming with an increase in payment orders over one year of +82%!
The number of bankruptcy filings in mid-December reached 241 in La Rochelle (+16% over one year), 210 in Saintes (+42%) where it exceeded 2019 by 26%. The La Rochelle court also had to issue 46 judicial adjustments, while remaining far from the 2019 level (86). While in Saintes, with 61 in 2023, we exceed 2022 by 103% and even 2019 by 38%.
“Business leaders in difficulty come to see us too late,” regrets President Martin. Too late, that is to say when the safeguard procedure, the first level of support, is no longer possible and the cessation of payments is necessary.
More liquidations
When it is also too late for recovery or the continuation plan is no longer tenable, it is liquidation and therefore the end of the company.
In the jurisdiction of the Saintes commercial court, the number of liquidation procedures jumped by 30% in 2023 and exceeds that of 2019. A sign of significant difficulties in the Saintonge economic fabric, which the floods of this fall will probably have worsened for what concerns trade. The La Rochelle court only noted +5%. While the average figure, for all the territories which depend on the court of appeal, is +17%.
The two commercial courts follow the same trend, with singularities. Within a few years, they are expected to become courts of economic activities with an audience extended to sectors other than commerce and industry.
2023-12-22 07:06:05
#CharenteMaritime #business #failures #increased #sharply
