Sole trader claiming they have gone in to administration, not naming administrator.

PastyCornish

Booked a holiday through a sole trader, paid money up front in January through sort code and account (mistake i know), for a holiday in September.
Announcement today on Facebook , effective from 5th August at 00.00, the company will be permanently discontinuing operations and has gone into administration.
An administration company have been appointed and will be in contact with clients who have reservations and refunds pending.
They have not named the administration company.
Can a sole trader go into administration?
Any advice on how i can proceed or claim my money back. £2400.
Many thanks

eskbanker

I was under the impression that the administration process related to limited companies rather than sole traders but happy to be corrected on that.

However, in terms of practical next steps, it may be worth contacting the relevant airlines and hotels to ascertain if they hold valid and paid bookings for you - it wouldn't be a huge surprise if this wasn't the case, in the scenario where an agent was in financial difficulties, but if there's any sort of possibility that your bookings were made and paid up then worth finding that out sooner rather than later?

Grumpy_chap

Was the holiday booked a package holiday?
Was the travel agency a member of ABTA / ATOL or similar?
How established was the travel agency before you booked in January?

I, too, understood that "administration" related to Ltd Co. not sole traders but, also, happy to be corrected.

user1977

Not aware of any ability for sole traders to go into administration. It also wouldn't be a "company" if only a sole trader. Is it possible that there is also a limited company?

Ultimately even if no formal insolvency proceedings are happening, do they have assets to cover their liabilities to you?

Hoenir

Are you certain you paid a sole trader and not a company? 

DullGreyGuy

PastyCornish said:

Booked a holiday through a sole trader, paid money up front in January through sort code and account (mistake i know), for a holiday in September.
Announcement today on Facebook , effective from 5th August at 00.00, the company will be permanently discontinuing operations and has gone into administration.
An administration company have been appointed and will be in contact with clients who have reservations and refunds pending.
They have not named the administration company.
Can a sole trader go into administration?
Any advice on how i can proceed or claim my money back. £2400.
Many thanks

You're mixing terms... you say they are a sole trader but then talk about a company... a business will be a sole trader or a company, they cannot be both. 

With a sole trader there is no separation of the business from the person and so if they are insolvent then their options are an IVA or bankruptcy not administration. 

user1977

https://www.facebook.com/share/PN2RURfWoykjZvhZ/?mibextid=WC7FNe

This bunch, by any chance? There is a limited company of the same name (not yet in administration).

PastyCornish

Yes @user1977 that is the one!!

user1977

Why do you think they're a sole trader? Did you get "real life" details of the legal entity when you booked?

PastyCornish

They mentioned on the receipt when i paid, trading as XXXXX their name.
I booked as others have used this person and i thought it would be okay.
I did not receive any booking information only a receipt after i paid and that was because i kept on.
Three weeks ago i have been messaging with excuse after excuse.
I was after any advice i what actions i could take , bank cant help, the insurance not covered for that, small claims costs or i loose the money.
Lessons learned.

PastyCornish

@user1977 the  name is similar to another , which is a ltd company but this one is not.