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Brothers' company in difficulties Brothers' company in difficulties
(9 minutes later)
Two Londonderry brothers with a £500m commercial property business have had 30 of their 75 companies placed into administration.Two Londonderry brothers with a £500m commercial property business have had 30 of their 75 companies placed into administration.
Patrick and Hugh Hegarty own the W G Mitchell business.Patrick and Hugh Hegarty own the W G Mitchell business.
W G Mitchell owns properties in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England which are leased to third parties.W G Mitchell owns properties in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England which are leased to third parties.
Ernst & Young, who have been appointed as the administrators, said the companies had been operating in a challenging market place.Ernst & Young, who have been appointed as the administrators, said the companies had been operating in a challenging market place.
"They have been finding it increasingly difficult to meet the significant backlog of creditors as well as ongoing debt service obligations."They have been finding it increasingly difficult to meet the significant backlog of creditors as well as ongoing debt service obligations.
"The business model under which the companies have been operating was becoming unsustainable.""The business model under which the companies have been operating was becoming unsustainable."
Ernst & Young said it would continue to operate the companies whilst considering options for selling them.Ernst & Young said it would continue to operate the companies whilst considering options for selling them.
Part of the W G Mitchell portfolio includes the Richmond shopping centre in Londonderry which is leased to another company. Part of the W G Mitchell portfolio includes the 200,000 sq ft Richmond shopping centre in Londonderry which is leased to another company.
Trading at the the shopping centre will continue as normal.Trading at the the shopping centre will continue as normal.
The 30 W G Mitchell companies in administration also own two hotels in Edinburgh's Grassmarket, which they bought for £54m in October 2006 and leased back to Apex hotels.
The portfolio also includes Charlotte Square and George Street in Edinburgh and properties in Glasgow, Perth and Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.