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Supermarket closes its doors

Not in service: A closed sign on one of the cash registers at White and Sons store in Warwick yesterday afternoon after a court order was signed to liquidate the business.

Embattled grocer White & Sons Ltd closed its doors in Warwick yesterday after a liquidation order was approved.The Royal Gazette understands that the supermarket’s entire staff was laid off as a result of the ruling.Acting Chief Justice Charles-Etta Simmons signed an order to wind up the store under the provision of the Companies Act 1981 in a 15-minute court hearing at Sessions House yesterday morning.KPMG was assigned as liquidators for the grocer that has been in the supermarket business in Bermuda since 1924.According to KPMG, they are currently assessing a variety of options for White’s, including “continuing to operate the business at 22 Middle Road, Warwick while a potential sale of the business is explored”.Employees who were notified of the closing yesterday said that KPMG spoke with staff and will be assessing over the weekend whether the store will remain open through the liquidation period.One employee explained that staff members were told that some of them may be called on Monday to come into work to help with closing the store, and be paid by KPMG.The Bermudian shelf stacker, who spoke to The Royal Gazette on condition of anonymity, said they had enjoying working at White’s for the past several years.The person said they were saddened by news of the sudden closure.The liquidation does not affect the operation of White’s sister groceries, Hayward’s Supermarket or White’s Southside, a KPMG spokesperson stated.However when this newspaper visited Hayward’s yesterday afternoon, the Middle Road store was closed.Together, the three entities have a staff of approximately 85.Shipping and courier company International Bonded Couriers of Bermuda, represented by Deborah Correia of Wakefield Quin Limited, filed the petition last month to reclaim money White & Sons Ltd owed them.Since filing, 27 other creditors, including wholesale companies Pitt & Company Ltd and BGA Ltd, have come forward and filed claims.Customers of White’s have complained for months that the stores were running out of items, including staples. The pharmacy at White’s Southside was closed in June.Back in April the owners of White’s told this newspaper they and their staff of 85 were working hard to turn things around after a difficult period.Gary White said then that with “much hard work and difficult decisions, we are on our way back”.Admitting stock has not been what it should, he assured that management was working to change that and appealed for customers to stick by them for the sake of the company’s many long-serving staff.Creditors, suppliers and/or potential purchasers should contact Khalid Davis of KPMG on 294-2628 or khaliddavis@kpmg.bm.

A closed sign outside White & Sons Ltd store in Warwick.
Not in service: A closed sign on one of the cash registers at White and Sons store in Warwick yesterday afternoon after a court order was signed to liquidate the business.
Closed: The White & Sons Ltd in Warwick closed its doors yesterday after a liquidation order was approved.