Company Announcement:  October 2002

Despite trying our best to produce the Robin BN-1 / BN-2, things have not been going too well for us recently. There are many rumours about what has happened and that we have finished but we have not bitten the dust yet and still intend to somehow continue producing this vehicle sometime in the near future.  At the moment our future is solely dependent on gaining financial backing to help us continue keeping this great British vehicle alive. We would like to refer you to the exclusive article below that was in the East Anglian Daily Times that helps explain the current status of the production.

East Anglian Daily Times - The morning newspaper for Suffolk and Essex.

Friday October 11, 2002

THE man who saved the Robin car from extinction said he is determined to keep  the cult-three-wheeler alive despite dosing his Suffolk company. Les Collier,  who owned Sudbury-based B&N Plastics, re-launched the much-loved car made  famous by BBC television's Only fools and Horses in a blaze of publicity after  buying the manufacturing rights from Reliant in 2001. But the re-emergence of  the cult car was short-lived after the company was forced to stop production when the car did not meet Government safety requirements. Mr Collier has now closed his manufacturing firm which means the three-wheeler will not be seen In the immediate future.
But despite the difficulties, Mr Collier is adamant the  British public has not seen the last of the car and he is now looking for a  financial backer to help him re-launch his project.

When B&N Plastics  purchased the rights to make the Robin from Reliant, Mr Corner and his wife Barbara set up a separate business B&N Plastics Limited. The limited company still owns the rights to the car and Is not affected by the debts. He said: "I am absolutely determined to re-launch this venture. I am 100 per cent  convinced the business could be profitable because the Robin Is still so popular and enjoys as much demand as ever  "Obviously I am in financial difficulties at the moment so I can't continue but all I need is the financial backing and I will re-launch the business."
Mr Collier is now proposing to sell off his  assets including two homes to pay creditors which include banks, his factory work-force and other trade debts.  He has also decided to enter into an  Individual Voluntary Arrangement under the Insolvency Act. Creditors are due to  hear details of the arrangement at Colchester County Court next week.  The problems for B&N Plastic began in July last year when It was found the car  did not comply with Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre guidelines and the Certificate of Modification proving safety was not in place, which made the car  Illegal.

He was forced to stop producing the car for six months while he  brought the design up to the correct standard, which he said built up huge  debts. Mr Collier said: "The problem is I can't afford to take the case forward so I am looking to get venture capital from a financial backer Although  the situation is looking gloomy at the moment I am still determined to re-launch the Robin and do it In Suffolk."

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