Leicester group?s troubles blight Rapid Group bid

Leicester Computer Systems plunged into receivership last week, throwing Rapid Group?s plans to acquire the dealership into disarray.

In April, an attempt by acquisitive Apple dealer Rapid Group to buy Leicester Computer Systems failed after the two could not agree terms (PC Dealer, 7 April). The purchase has now been put on hold after Leicester Computer Systems, which has offices in Leicester, Leeds and Peterborough, went into receivership on 2 May.

Apple UK MD Jon Molyneux said: ?We?ve looked at a range of options to rescue this company. There are several interested parties, and we very much hope that another acquisition could save this dealership.?

Rapid Group was not certain what would happen to its bid. Rapid marketing director Steve Rush said: ?We are still officially waiting to hear.?

A KPMG representative confirmed that the company?s three branches, which have a combined turnover of about #4 million, had been put into receivership after its banker, Midland Bank, called it in.

He confirmed that several companies had made bids for Leicester Computer Systems. ?We?re trying to sell the business as a going concern, and hope one of the parties will come forward in the next week.?

• Scottish dealer Das Securities bought troubled Microcore Romford for an undisclosed sum last week. Proprietor David Jesner had been looking for Apple dealers in the South since last year.
• Jesner said: ?It has had its ups and downs, but it has good staff.?
• Geoff Rose, former owner of Microcore, will retain a minority stake in the dealer, but his position at the firm has not been finalised.