Yorkshire.com, the White Rose Awards and the ‘Y’ Magazine are all up for sale as the former Welcome to Yorkshire tourist board as administrators start to sell off the assets.
The organisation entered administration this March after a number of issues led to local councils withdrawing funding. This includes concerns around the behaviour of the former Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity and expenses abuse.
According to Business Live, administrators are now offering up the company and its assets for sale. This includes the website www.letour.yorkshire.com as well as 150 domain names, trademarks and patents.
Read More: Welcome to Yorkshire’s fall from grace: Tour de France, Sir Gary Verity scandal and financial woes
The administrators say they want to sell the business as a whole but they are also considering an auction of the individual assets. Joint administrator Rob Adamson said: “We continue to seek a buyer for the Welcome to Yorkshire business following our appointment as Administrators on 1st March 2022.
“We’re keen to hear from any interested parties in the purchase of the business as a whole, or its individual assets, including the iconic www.yorkshire.com domain name, so synonymous with this beautiful region.”
The organisation brought the Tour de France to Yorkshire in 2014 but was haunted by allegations of bullying and financial incompetence. In January this year the organisation asked councils for a 45% increase in funding after admitting mistakes in the way it handled taxpayers money.
Andrew Cromack, director at agents BPI Asset Advisory, said: “We are seeing significant interest in the business as a going concern from the travel and tourism sector as we’d expect, in addition to multiple enquiries from publishing outlets.
“A domain such as www.yorkshire.com coming to market will always cause a stir due to its rarity. From existing Yorkshire businesses or those expanding into the region, brands looking for campaign domains or simply proud Yorkshire bidders, we expect high levels of interest.”
Welcome to Yorkshire was founded in 2009 to replace the Yorkshire Tourism Board. It was a private company which saw heavy investment from local councils.
It is believed the Yorkshire Leader’s Board of council leaders and both the West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire metro mayors are considering buying Welcome to Yorkshire’s assets.
