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Motorbike dealership Dockgate 20 calls in business rescue specialists

5:30pm Thursday 16th December 2010 in Motorcycle News Photograph of the Author By Matt Smith, Politics and business reporter

Southampton Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership closes Southampton Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership closes

A SOUTHAMPTON motorcycle dealer faces an uncertain future after it shut up shop.

The Dockgate 20 Harley-Davidson dealership closed yesterday after a staff meeting.

The doors to the showroom were open today but customers were being directed to deal with an insolvency firm in East Sussex.

Another business rescue firm David Rubin & Partners LLP later announced it had been appointed to help the troubled firm following a decision by Harley Davidson not to renew franchise agreements which expire on December 31.

However the London accountants said Dockgate 20 Motorcyles Ltd had not entered into any formal insolvency process and could be sold as a going concern.

As many as 18 jobs are understood to be at risk at the dealership, which opened in 1997.

A worker at the store this morning said: "We're going to be hanging open for a few days but it basically will cease, it has ceased.

"The staff are no longer employed here and we won't be paid next month.

"Eighteen of us roughly are going to be unemployed for Christmas.

"Saturday night will probably be the last day of trading really.”

A spokeswoman for David Rubin said the intention was to continue trading but could not confirm whether the dealership would be open tomorrow or whether staff were still in a job.

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Management at the dealership said this morning that it was closing and going into administration although declined to comment further.

A sign in the window of the showroom was telling customers to contact Eastbourne based business rescue and insolvency firm Adam Smith business Developments Ltd.

Comments(23)

StEmmosfire says...
9:24am Thu 16 Dec 10

What a shame, although I am not a biker, I did used to enjoy going past on my push bike towards the new forest and admire the bikes on show, and the cafe was really popular too.

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SotonLad says...
9:27am Thu 16 Dec 10

It's tragic how these things often happen just before Xmas

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Of the Ilk says...
9:51am Thu 16 Dec 10

When a company can no longer trade because of a lack of sales, then they have to close - makes nor difference what time of year it is

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GoodnessGraciousMe says...
9:55am Thu 16 Dec 10

Way to state the obvious - it's still a shame isn't it?

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Beer Monster says...
10:09am Thu 16 Dec 10

Pardon the expression, but I echo the sentiments of the above posts... and like StEmmosfire I cycle past on my way into town, hoping that maybe one day I'll own one...

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derek james says...
10:50am Thu 16 Dec 10

shame but harleys are so expensive, not altogether unsurprising

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Ozmosis says...
10:57am Thu 16 Dec 10

The early article posted this morning suggested that the closure was due to Harley Davidson not renewing the franchise. I take it this is now not the case?

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southy says...
11:21am Thu 16 Dec 10

Sort off, Harley Davidson and Indian bikes world wide sales have been going down for a very long time, and have stop the discounts that franchise use to get.
Shame lo like going into there and having a coffee and a chat with some old mates.

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acid drop says...
11:43am Thu 16 Dec 10

Sadly this is a sign of the times, my thoughts go out to the staff losing their jobs.So sad.

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crabbit says...
11:57am Thu 16 Dec 10

It was a vibrant fun meeting place with plenty of events, nights and the like. Happy staff and a friendly sales team, really making the effort to make everyone feel welcome. It all went down hill after Bob (old manager) left and the current shop manager joined. He seamed to have no interest in the people or the place. Shame really

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crabbit says...
12:02pm Thu 16 Dec 10

Oh, and apparently the staff are not getting paid this month either ... terrible.

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Saint Bean says...
12:02pm Thu 16 Dec 10

Well the inside track is that its been on the cards for a while ruhmour has it that HD are refusing to deal with the current franchise owners and they were looking for a new buyer for what reason im not sure. I know a couple of people that work(ed) there. But to be honest the store suffered from overpriced rip of spares and clothing most harley owners myself included only used the place when they had to or cus there bike was still under waranty. It is a shame cus until they got rid of the cafe it was a great meeting place.

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Scrutinizer says...
12:29pm Thu 16 Dec 10

southy wrote:
Sort off, Harley Davidson and Indian bikes world wide sales have been going down for a very long time, and have stop the discounts that franchise use to get. Shame lo like going into there and having a coffee and a chat with some old mates.
"...and a chat with some old mates." Yeah, and as we know from your rantings, Commissar, TORQUE is rather cheap! ;-)

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southy says...
12:39pm Thu 16 Dec 10

Scrutinizer wrote:
southy wrote:
Sort off, Harley Davidson and Indian bikes world wide sales have been going down for a very long time, and have stop the discounts that franchise use to get. Shame lo like going into there and having a coffee and a chat with some old mates.
"...and a chat with some old mates." Yeah, and as we know from your rantings, Commissar, TORQUE is rather cheap! ;-)
well if you want to find out things then you talk to people.

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freemantlegirl2 says...
1:50pm Thu 16 Dec 10

Very sad to hear :(

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dj28 says...
4:27pm Thu 16 Dec 10

Bought many Harleys from there but staff went downhill and prices went rip-off-Britain style -
Any decent Harley dealers in the area ?
-hope cowboy warrs goes the same way-

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Condor Man says...
8:03pm Thu 16 Dec 10

Talking to a bike enthusiast he told me that the rising costs of bikes are making it cheaper to drive cars. It's sad to see this store close, but are Harley's really suitable for cruising on UK roads?

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derek james says...
9:28pm Thu 16 Dec 10

i would guess that the cost of so-called sports bikes makes them more expensive than cars, tyres wear quick and cost plenty, but the motorcycle has a great future because of the increase in traffic congestion

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skyrider says...
10:57pm Thu 16 Dec 10

£12,000+ for a lifestyle bike isn't going to sell well in this climate, you can get 3 new bikes for that elsewhere. I agree with other sentiments though, the place went downhill after staff changes, the manager just looked down his nose at you when you went in.

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southy says...
12:13am Fri 17 Dec 10

dj28 wrote:
Bought many Harleys from there but staff went downhill and prices went rip-off-Britain style -
Any decent Harley dealers in the area ?
-hope cowboy warrs goes the same way-
get your self a 1966 bonny t-120 frame. nice bike

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samm1551 says...
11:35am Fri 17 Dec 10

It is a shame, I loved going down there for a cuppa and a chin wag, but your right HD's are expensive and I would much rather buy a Triumph from down the road.

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DG 007 says...
2:41pm Sat 18 Dec 10

D|G 20 Nice people....NOT.
From this very newspaper this story last March: A MOTORCYCLE dealership has given a settlement payout to a former employee who claimed she was unfairly sacked for smoking at work.
It has still not been paid to her.
The court agreed on a £15,000 payment, in 5 payments, they did not honour that Court judgement, the Bailiffs went in and put charges on several bikes not to be sold, they sold them. i believe she went to court again and has been paid 3 payments of £650, she's still owed £13,000

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lambinators says...
9:31pm Sun 19 Dec 10

Oh dear, how very sad, and to happen to such a nice honest crowd, don't know how I will be able to sleep at night! Guess I will just have to try.

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