Advice needed to help my father.

MrMajoogal

Hi!
First time poster here, not certain this is the best place for this post, but wasn't sure where else it could go.
I need advice/help with my father and his very poor finances.
He is self employed (owns his own shop) as has done for close to 20 years now, the shop has been quite successful and managed to keep our family (of 6) afloat until 4 years ago, which happens to coincide with when an Asda superstore was built 2 roads away.
My parents seperated which led my father into what can only be described as a downward spiral of self destruction, he has gained a huge amount of weight, does nothing but work in the shop, doesn't have any friends or hobbies.
This is where the benefits help comes in, he is incredibly overweight, has terrible arthiritus from when he was younger and has terrible leg ulcers which he is unable to shift.
The shop is losing money, every week there are new letters from water or electric companies, missed council tax payments and more.
My father doesn't want to give up the shop, and I worry that if, in effect I force him to then he will have nothing to live for and his condition will get worse.
I have suggested to him to apply for DLA (although I know the name has changed) however he was refused it before and doesn't seem like he can be bothered to re-apply.
He doesn't have the money to even declare himself bankrupt.
Any help, suggestions or advice would be fantastic, I really have no idea how to proceed from here.

paddyrg

Sounds like he's lost among other things his sparko and passion. Running a shop takes young blood and doubtless there will be some old stock that needs updating, shop fittings which need replacing etc. But I do hear about it being his reason to keep going too.

Are there any extended family members who would take the shop on and retain your father as an advisor/helper whilst bringing fresh money and ideas? Asda needn't be the death of a small business if you plug the gaps it misses, for instance if there is a growing Polish/Bulgarian population maybe offer what they need? Open late or early, offer filter coffee for £1/cup, hot bacon rolls, whatever takes ages to get from Asda you make available with convenience.

Sounds like something has to change one way or the other, and a staged buyout/handover might work for everyone?

MrMajoogal

Hi Paddy thanks for the reply.
Theres not really any close family I can think of, everyone else is pursuing their own careers. We currently have 2 polish/portugese shops within 5 minutes walking distance of the shop as well as 2 other general stores.
He has done similar things to those you mentioned, cheap coffee/soups, fresh rolls and cakes, he was open on christmas day, boxing day, new years, but from what he said it wasn't worth getting out of bed for the small amount of money he took.

Mistral001

Ask him what help he needs? This might be sort of stating the obvious, but is often forgotten. It might be something like helping with the cleaning or running errands. It is unlikely be to act as business advisor or lend me money, or put him in contact with the Social Services or financial advisor.

Seanymph

Does he own it freehold? Or leasehold? Is it a limited company? does the shop have stock? Much stock? A quick turnover?

nickj_2

the longer you delay things the worse it will get , you don't want bailiffs knocking on the door , from what you have told us it seems this will be the logical outcome , is your father in a fit state to carry on either mentally or physically ,couldn't he either sell it or get someone else to run it for him