Sports Cafe Share Discussion Threads

[aliandamanda] 10/1/2008 19:42

Another ramped stock of Robin_of_Loxley bites the dust! LOL :-O

[robin_of_loxley] 10/1/2008 18:27

katsy,

interesting seeing your posts and doesnt suprise me, when you see how they have been affected negatively by warm weather, it seems they planned to get themselves out of problems by acquisition (I note the founder became the development director when the new CEO took over)

it seems to be at every turn they disappoint market expectations, even though they often seem optimistic beforehand...

the 2 non executive directors resigning with immediate effect didnt seem a good sign either....

to be swiftly followed by the rns on poor financial position and discussion with bankers over facilities where there is no guarantee they will be extended...


well, theyve already done sale and leaseback of b'ham, from memory wasnt that the only one there was a sensible prospect of a sale and leaseback on?

presumably the acquisition strategy as part of growth is out of the window if they are in a poor financial position...

presumably the planned acquisition strategy was meant to help them spread their admin costs over a wider revenue base, generate more cash, and a greater contribution to the bottom line...

well sorting out the problems last year through growth should have looked brave to me in hindisght....

ah well, some one could have made a few quid shorting it, but at least got the heck out last year before it plummeted

my commiserations to any left in.

I rather assume that the name over the door will soon be HSBC or somesuch, in a poignant reversal of the trend for old bank branches to become pubs...

just my opinion....

no advice intended

[robin_of_loxley] 10/1/2008 18:18

hmmm

extracts of news over past few months....

first we had:

Sports Cafe says offer talks terminated
LONDON (AFX) - Sports Cafe Holdings PLC said it has terminated all talks regarding a possible offer for the company, announced last September, as a
formal satisfactory offer was not received despite ongoing discussions.
The company said following termination, it is now carrying out a review of
its future strategy and exploring a number of financing options, including the possibility of the sale and leaseback of its Birmingham site.

Then we had:

Appointment of Peter Marks as Chief Executive Officer
Sports Cafe (AIM: SCA), the owner and operator of the Sports Cafe chain of
leading licensed Sports Entertainment Venues, announces the recruitment of Peter
Marks (46) as Chief Executive with immediate effect.
Bill Balkou, the original founder of Sports Cafe, takes up the new Main Board
position of Development Director.

then:

Sports Cafe FY pretax loss widens to 1.67 mln stg from 1.40 mln stg
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Sports Cafe Holdings PLC, the operator of the
Sports Cafe chain of licensed sports entertainment venues, said that full-year
pretax losses to end-December 2006 widened to 1.67 mln stg from 1.40 mln stg in
2005.

then:

Sports Cafe Holdings plc ("Sports Cafe" or the "Company")

Sale and Lease back of Sports Cafe site, Birmingham

Sports Cafe, the owner and operator of the Sports Cafe chain of leading licensed
Sports Entertainment Venues, announces that it has exchanged contracts for the sale and leaseback of 240 Broad Street, Birmingham for a consideration of #4.4 million (net #4.3m). This follows the review of its strategy and financing options for future growth announced in January this year.


then:

RNS Number:6759E
Sports Cafe Holdings plc
28 September 2007

...Cost base reduced by #1 million per annum following cost cutting
exercise at end of 2006...

..Following appointment of new CEO, Peter Marks, in February, full
strategic review undertaken establishing acquisition strategy as part of growth...




then:

Sports Cafe, the owner and operator of the Sports Cafe chain of leading licensed
Sports Entertainment Venues, held their AGM today and Chris Akers, Deputy
Chairman, made the following comments on current trading:

'Following the difficult trading conditions during the second half of 2006, the initial months of 2007 have, as announced in the Annual Report, been a period of consolidation of the business on a reduced operating cost base with significant change in both strategic direction and operating focus. Whilst total sales during the first quarter of the year were at a similar level to 2006, the cost reduction exercise undertaken at the end of 2006 was reflected in both our gross margins and operating cost base during the first quarter.

In common with many high street businesses, April trading was impacted by the
unseasonably warm weather. However, trading during May, with its strong sporting calendar, has shown improved figures in the month to date. The Rugby World Cup and an increased level of televised premiership football from August are expected to provide the basis for a strong second half to the year



then:

Current Trading and Outlook to 2007

Our stated initiatives to reduce costs and improve unit performance are
generating early indications of some success. Trading profit in the four months
to 31/10/07 is ahead of the previous year and forward Xmas bookings provide
further evidence of an upturn in underlying performance.

The initial impact of the smoking ban introduced in England in July 2007 has
been relatively benign, although we remain mindful of the coming winter months
and continue with innovative ideas to manage the process.

These factors together suggest that in spite of market conditions the company
should deliver improved operating performance compared with the disappointing
first half of 2007 and the second half of the previous financial year, albeit the outcome for the year as a whole will fall short of previous market
expectations.

2008 Outlook

The Board remains confident that the operational changes implemented during 2007
will result in further improvements in performance during 2008. Notwithstanding England and Scotland's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 we expect a modest increase in sales next year on a reduced cost base, with increases in labour costs being offset by lower energy costs and bank interest.

As a result the Board believe that the Sports Cafe business now represents a suitable platform for future expansion.

The Board's efforts to identify opportunities for such expansion are progressing satisfactorily.


then:

21 December 2007
For Immediate Release 21 December 2007
Sports Cafe Holdings plc ("Sports Cafe" or the "Company")
Board Change
Sports Cafe, the owner and operator of the Sports Cafe chain of leading licensed
Sports Entertainment Venues, announces that Christopher Akers and Stephen Ross, Non-executive Directors, have resigned from the Board with immediate effect.

then:

9 January 2008
Sports Cafe Holdings plc ("Sports Cafe or "the Company")
Comment on financial position
As a result of poor Christmas trading and a slow start to 2008, the Company
announces that it is currently in discussions with its bankers concerning an
extension to its banking facilities.
As has been the case historically, while the bank remains supportive of the
Company there can be no guarantee that this support will continue and that an
extension to the facilities will be agreed.
A further announcement will be made in due course.


no advice intended

(see news section of advfn site for full rns's in context)

[robin_of_loxley] 10/1/2008 17:56

Is this the sort of hypothetical conversation that could be causing the current decline in share price?

This is the Bank Manager, calling Sports Cafe, come in your time is up ;-)

I wonder....

no advice intended

[johnwalton] 10/1/2008 16:39

katsy

those who are in!

I thought that was the problem
nobody in the inn.

[katsy] 10/1/2008 16:26

I remember finding myself outside the west end bar when Brazil played Argentina in the South American final. There was a queue about 500 people long, but they were only letting about 2-3 people every so and then. The Bar looked empty through the windows that I could see. When the match started I could see disgruntled south Americans leaving the queue in numbers looking for an alternative venue. I don't know if anywhere else was showing it but I hate to think how much money they lost because of overzealous door men. Watching this in light of what happened to the failed takeover and subsequent falling share price and knowing exactly why they were doomed to failure. Good luck for those still in.

[robin_of_loxley] 10/1/2008 16:16

interesting katsy, suggests a slight flaw in the business model, corroborated by a slight weakening of the share price in the last year or so ;-)

[katsy] 10/1/2008 16:08

It was the only bar I know of in the West End to charge entry to watch world cup matches. Every other bar around was free, they deserve to go under.

[targatarga] 10/1/2008 15:48

digger - sold mine this am for 3p. Brought some prg yesterday. regards

[digger27] 10/1/2008 15:45

Final death throws by the looks of things.
What a day I'm having elsewhere as well!!

[targatarga] 09/1/2008 20:20

Robin - thats how it was...no substance just rumours

[seanmiller] 09/1/2008 18:30

lol, I see. I'm not investing at present, getting deposit sorted for a new house lol, was just interested.

[robin_of_loxley] 09/1/2008 18:12

there was something like that wasnt there...?

or was it just a rumour.... I remember some press comment.

I seem to remember selling because I started to wonder whether it was merely a rumour set around the place to attract a bidder...

no idea what the reality was

[wiganer] 09/1/2008 18:08

Didnt they turn down a takeover offer at 40p or so?

[robin_of_loxley] 09/1/2008 17:18

considering the credit crunch, will an extension be forthcoming I wonder?

[robin_of_loxley] 09/1/2008 17:16

still on an old watch list...

hmmm.... wasnt that potential bid the other year well handled? wasnt there meant to be an offer on the table at some stage

thats the lord I got out, hope all others from that time got out a while back...

was there an offer or were they just touting around for one...?

sean miller: I remember a similar thing last year with the bank facilities, look back at the chart.... was there a big bounce there even when the facilities were extended?

no MBO either was there...

hmmm

no advice intended

[targatarga] 09/1/2008 17:08

bloody foreigners - hot air every time.

[manonph] 09/1/2008 16:56

came out at 16.16 actually

[agreeable] 09/1/2008 16:41

after hours statement makes it clear, the end is nigh!

[agreeable] 09/1/2008 16:30

the two non execs did not resign because it was good news, questions for the Nomad is it now appropriate to maintain AIM quotation as corporate governance seems to have gone out the window

[seanmiller] 09/1/2008 15:47

not sure I agree, don't hold (buying house nothing to invest at present) but a bounce is on the cards here. market down in general today, these will go back up IMO

[phil2003] 09/1/2008 15:42

"An ambitious idea created by two Canadian restaurant entrepreneurs"

They should have stayed in Canada - this kind of muck doesn't work in blightly - staying in with sky / all your mates / a 6 pack or 3 in decent surroundings (is the new going out) ...

best avoided

[seanmiller] 09/1/2008 15:11

maybe, lvl 2 just gone positive, you might not be as unlucky as you think.....

[seanmiller] 09/1/2008 15:10

bounce on the cards?