Les Routiers eating-out guide saved in the UK

The Les Routiers eating-out guide will be published once again in the UK after former business associates and purchasing consortium IPA stepped in to save the collapsed business.

A spokesman for the guidebook's printers, London Print and Design, confirmed exclusively to Caterer that 3,000 copies of the guide had now been produced and sent to distributor Portfolio Books.

The Les Routiers Guide: 2007 is a combined edition featuring hotels, restaurants pubs and inns.

It had been expected in October, but was put in jeopardy after the company hit financial problems. This saw Les Routiers Plc forced into liquidation in October after a court petition from a creditor.

However, provisional liquidator KPMG walked away from its assignment after assessing the business and a subsequent decree from the Scottish authorities dated 17 November cancelled the petition to wind up the business.

It is believed IPA has negotiated directly with Les Routiers France, which owns the brand name and licences it in the UK, to print the guide on a trial basis.

Subject to performance, IPA may then seek permission to publish the guide in future years.

David Curry, former director of Les Routiers in the UK, is no longer believed to be associated with the brand.

Caterer understands the new edition has not been substantially changed from the original proofs, which should see the majority of hospitality operators that paid their annual membership in the past-year included.

Les Routiers France and Les Routiers Ireland are unaffected.

By Chris Druce

Traditional guides losing out to rivals on the web>>

Is this the end for Les Routiers in Britain?

E-mail your comments to Chris Druce](mailto:Chris.Druce@rbi.co.uk?subject=Les Routiers saved) here.

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week -