Sadness after Worcester's Kawasaki and Ducati stores closed

Sadness is being felt across the biking community after Completely Motoring Limited revealed it had fallen into administration.

Completely Motoring has closed its Kawasaki store. (Image: Newsquest) The national chain, which runs the Kawasaki store on Sidbury and Ducati Worcester in Castle Street, has temporarily closed its stores.

On the front of both Worcester stores, a sign has appeared on the door alerting customers to the administration. 

CLOSED: Ducati Worcester on Castle Street. (Image: Newsquest) However, the Sidbury store's sign specifies that its shop will be closed pending further announcement, which is not specified on Ducati Worcester's window.

Andy Philpott, president of Worcestershire Chapter Widows Sons MBA, said: "It is a sad loss for Worcester as there are not many places you can go to have a service and maintain your bike like you used to.

"It is a big loss."

SAD LOSS: Andy Philpott is president of Worcestershire Chapter Widows Sons MBA. (Image: Andy Philpott) He added that the closure is a sign of the times because the cost of living crisis has affected many businesses nationwide. 

Jonathan Amor, a licensed insolvency practitioner at ten accounting and advisory firms, and Azets have been appointed joint administrators.

The sign is on the Kawasaki store in Sidbury. (Image: Newsquest) Matthew Richards of Azets and Alessandro Sidoli of Xeinadin Corporate Recovery Limited have also been appointed.

Mr Amor said the decision was made because of financial difficulties and they are currently exploring sale options with interested parties.

Mr Amor said: “The group has encountered financial difficulties after a poor summer sales period.

The sign on the front of Worcester's Ducati store. (Image: Newsquest) "As a result, the group has been placed into administration to protect it. We are exploring sale options with interested parties.

“We have received several expressions of interest, and we urge any other parties to make contact as soon as possible, with a view to securing a future for the Group and saving as much of the business and as many jobs as possible.”

Completely Motoring Limited, which owns John Wilkins (Motor Engineers) Ltd and Thunder Road Motorcycles Ltd, entered administration on October 10.

The joint administrators are urging interested parties to make contact as soon as possible to maximise the chances of securing the future group, which has a turnover of £70 million.

The group employs 165 people across 14 showrooms and 11 locations spanning Wales and the South West of England.