I think some of us expected it. Still hard to read: https://www.itv.com/news/central/2020-01-29/norton-motorcycles-enters-administration/
Hopefully someone will take it on! From what I’ve heard Stuart Garner isn’t short of a few bob but is a bit of a slippery eel. Sure he could have sorted it with his personal finances. It’s the staff and people with out bikes who have paid that I feel for. Lot of people not knowing what’s going to happen next tonight
I always wonder when I see a story like this. The people behind these companies are not stupid and got where they are by being smart with money. I can't imagine there was any option that made financial sense for Garner besides letting the company go into administration.
Very sad news. My local honda salesman left Sussex for a new life in derby with norton end of last year. Not good for him and his mortgage.
Not a great time mate! My old man was on about buying a commando last week too, hoping he still does (used, NOS, or something)
I have a 961 Commando and have had no end of problems with it. Its been back to the factory countless times. Last time it was there, it was waiting for parts for 3 months. Then I had a phone call from a nice guy in Servicing and Warranty department saying the bike was complete but he recommended collecting the bike as soon as possible. He didn't have to tell me that twice, I already had my suspicions something was wrong at the factory. But it is sad news. Its an cool British brand which appeared to be doing well. Its will be missed at the TT, the chrome livery and exhaust note (Aprilia I know) was refreshingly different.
Interesting account on Twitter @notnortonmotorcycles promising (it seems) to out Mr garner link: https://mobile.twitter.com/Notnorton_Moto
I do wish @nigelrb was here to give feedback on his opinion of the whole thing maybe he secretly bought one and is lobbying outside trying to get his money back?
I do not doubt this at all. Nothing more dangerous than a pensioner with time on his hands and a gripe.
A lot of discussion out there that he used money from invested pension pots to fund Norton....and now the people who invested in the pots can't get their money out obviously. Slightly reminiscent of Bob 'falling' off that yacht As per usual the only losers here are the ordinary folks on the ground. Bankruptcy etc makes not one jot of difference to the shady goings on especially if you look at the business and financial histories of many so called wealthy entrepreneur's
I was looking at a bit of a career change when they were recruiting, and was considering starting at the bottom again with one of the assembly jobs, with a view to moving up to engine build etc, but now I think I dodged a bullet by giving it miss.
As nice as the bikes are they are out of reach new to most people, shame as I’d give a kidney, arm and leg to have the v4rr n carbon
Hopefully he hasn’t left the country! I think one SG may be looking at a long sentence for fraud amongst other charges don’t fancy his chances in the shower block
