Dawn Til Dusk shops fall victim to bootlegging boom
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE FAST-GROWING bootlegging trade claimed one of its first business casualties yesterday when a chain of convenience stores said it was in talks to sell all or part of its business.
Shares in Dawn Til Dusk, a 90-strong chain based in Sunderland, Liverpool and Manchester, were suspended from Aim when the company said it was in talks with potential buyers, thought to include T&S, the convenience giant.
In a stock exchange statement, the group said shareholders were unlikely to see any return from the sale. Directors were unavailable for comment.
In April, Dawn Til Dusk said it was closing 14 dedicated Liquorzone stores and a distribution centre in Peterlee, Durham. The group said sales and margins were devastated by the UK's pounds 1.5bn trade in smuggled cigarettes and alcohol. It planned to move into delicatessens, but it is believed the cost of closing the liquor business was prohibitive, forcing it into a sale of the entire chain.
"The Government has declared `open sesame' on cross-channel trade and it has destroyed the value of this business," said an analyst. Led by the Kent brewer, Shepherd Neame, the liquor industry has urged the Government to slash duties on beer and spirits to counter continental imports.
The Tobacco Manufacturers Industry has called for a pounds 1 cut in cigarette taxes. Sweden and Canada have made sharp cuts in duty to counter smuggling.
However, Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, said in the Budget that he would continue to boost cigarette duty above inflation to discourage smoking. He elected to appoint a "smuggling tsar" to combat the problem.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments