Les Routiers UK guide saved for publication

The Les Routiers eating-out guide is to return to UK bookshelves this month after a former partner stepped in to resurrect the collapsed business.

Les Routiers 2007 had been expected in October, but was put in jeopardy after the company hit financial problems.

But purchasing consortium IPA, which used to offer Les Routiers members a bulk-buying service, has now stumped up the cash for the 2007 edition.

The Les Routiers in Britain Guide: 2007 features hotels, restaurants, pubs and inns, is priced at £12.99, and is a largely unchanged version of the book that was due to hit stores in October.

London Print & Design has produced 3,000 copies of the delayed guide, which have been delivered to distributor Portfolio Books.

IPA's managing director Ian Gauld said that although the deal remained subject to final agreement with the franchise owner, Les Routiers France, he was hopeful Les Routiers GB could be salvaged.

A new website and contact number will be set up for the UK guide if agreement is reached. David Curry, former director of Les Routiers in the UK, is no longer involved.

An abortive attempt to force Les Routiers Plc, which is registered in Scotland, into liquidation in October failed after provisional liquidator KPMG walked away.

However, it is believed the company, whose trading arm, Routiers Ltd, is registered in England and Wales, has now been placed into administration, which means it can continue as a going concern. Details of the administrator were not available at the time of going to press.

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By Chris Druce

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