Harris Lipman News

Harris Lipman Appointed Administrators of Historic Florists

02/09/2008

Two partners at London-based chartered accountants and insolvency practitioners Harris Lipman have been appointed as the joint administrators of a long-established floristry company that holds two royal warrants.

Martin Atkins and Freddy Khalastchi of Harris Lipman are handling the administration of Moyses Stevens Ltd. The company, which was established in 1876, has supplied customers nationwide from its three London outlets, including a concession at Peter Jones in Sloane Square, and a floristry studio and head office in the heart of New Covent Garden Flower Market.

Moyses Stevens employed 45 staff and the jobs of 26 employees have been saved through the administration process. The contract and events side of Moyses Stevens and its Peter Jones concession have been sold to leading London florists Blakes Flowers, which will continue to use the Moyses Stevens name.

John Kennedy, a director of Moyses Stevens, said: “At a sad and difficult time, we can take some comfort in the fact that the jobs of more than half of our very talented and creative workforce have been saved.”

Martin Atkins said: “The directors of Moyses Stevens have worked extremely hard to save a company with a long and proud history. However, in the current economic climate, trading conditions have proved to be very challenging, particularly in the retail sector.

“In these difficult times, it was pleasing that we were able to rescue a sizeable proportion of the business, thus preserving as many jobs as possible and retaining an extremely well-known name within the floristry market.”

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