Why Keeping Your Debtors in Check is Vital for Your Business

When the specialist retailer Bathstore collapsed last month, 500 shopfloor and head office jobs were put at risk together with up to 300 bathroom fitters, suppliers and small businesses  paying a price. An article in the Guardian on The collapse of Bathstore makes a clear point, as do the case studies set out within it, that these are challenging times for businesses in all sectors. It does feel like there have been so many stories within the media regarding the precarious finances of some of the UK’s biggest businesses including Debenhams and Arcadia Group to name but two.

The difficulties of big business and the wider economy can also have a significant trickle down effect upon small and medium sized businesses, which are referred to in business jargon as “SMEs”. The article lays bare the effect that the failure of large business can have upon SMEs. One large contract or transaction can make, or break, an SME.

For the sake of impartiality, we have so far not mentioned Brexit, but this is clearly a matter of ongoing financial concern for business.

It is not just the financial fortunes of Big Business which can impact upon SMEs, as small and medium sized businesses very often work and trade with each other and therefore the livelihoods of all of employees are likely dependent upon receipt of payment, or contractual provision of goods and services, promptly.

Cash flow is extremely important for SMEs. In fact even law firms are not immune to the financial pressures of cash flow and bad debt. There is a well rehearsed adage in business and accounting circles which sums up the position neatly: “Turnover is vanity, Profit is sanity, but Cash is king.”

Reality can be extremely harsh if your business is struggling to recover bad debts which are impacting upon the financial health of your business.

At Clark Willis Law Firm, our Civil Litigation team are experienced in pursuing recovery of trade or commercial debts on behalf of individuals and SMEs and we act for some well-known business in the town to assist with their debt recovery. We can also provide practical advice and information as to your legal position should your debtor become insolvent, be it liquidation, Administration or a Voluntary Arrangement. So before outstanding invoices start having a detrimental impact on your business call our team on 01325 281111 to discuss ways we can help you.