[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/iconic-british-motorcycle-brand-norton-in-administration\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/iconic-british-motorcycle-brand-norton-in-administration\/","headline":"Iconic British Motorcycle Brand Norton in Administration","name":"Iconic British Motorcycle Brand Norton in Administration","description":"Sad news has arrived concerning Leicester based British motorcycle brand Norton. After failing to be able to pay its \u00a3300,000 tax bill, the iconic motorbike manufacturer has gone into administration. This is not the first time in recent years that Norton has struggled. Following issues ten years ago, Stuart Garner became Norton CEO and revived the company in 2008 – only last year Garner had stated that the brand was doing well. Garner is said to be working with HMRC […]","datePublished":"2020-01-31","dateModified":"2020-01-31","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Manx-Norton-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Manx-Norton-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/iconic-british-motorcycle-brand-norton-in-administration\/","about":["LATEST CAR NEWS","MOTORCYCLES"],"wordCount":662,"keywords":["Classic motorcycle","motorcycles","norton"],"articleBody":"Sad news has arrived concerning Leicester based British motorcycle brand Norton.After failing to be able to pay its \u00a3300,000 tax bill, the iconic motorbike manufacturer has gone into administration. This is not the first time in recent years that Norton has struggled. Following issues ten years ago, Stuart Garner became Norton CEO and revived the company in 2008 – only last year Garner had stated that the brand was doing well.Garner is said to be working with HMRC to resolve the issues,which have, he says, partly arisen over unpaid research and development taxrelief owed to the company. Originally the sum owed was much higher at around\u00a3600,000 but half of that has been paid. It just seems that time is now rapidlyrunning out for Garner and Norton.HM Revenue & Customs and Norton were in the Insolvency and Companies high court in London recently fighting liquidation. HMRC\u2019s barrister had requested a stay of execution due to the willingness of Norton to pay the amount owed and the substantial amount already paid towards the debt. Ironically, \u00a3135,000 in R&D tax credits is still awaiting approval from HMRC. Insolvency Judge Sebastian Prentis adjourned the hearing until February 12 2020.Garner said afterwards that Norton has pumped almost\u00a313million in R&D over the past 4 years and expressed his frustration atthe tax credit delay, while also saying he was appreciative of the efforts thatare going in to helping Norton find the outstanding balance that they owe. As aresult of this vigorous research and development programme, Norton has released5 new models over the past year, with variations on modern classics, theCommando and the Dominator.While this is a shock to those of us that hold a special place in our hearts for Norton, there does appear that there are strong hopes that the classic motorcycle brand will survive what will hopefully turn out to be blip on the Norton timeline. Only last year Garner launched a crowdfunding campaign in order to finance further R&D and an outstanding order book to the tune of \u00a31million. This was later ceased due to what Garner described as an intervention from a \u2018big investor\u2019. Norton has a proud history that began in 1898 in Birmingham,with the first motorcycles being manufactured from 1902. The 1950s saw suchwell-known names as the Norton Atlas and the Norton Dominator arrive on thescene. But it was the ground breaking classic, the Commando that changed thingswhen it arrived in 1968. Using a series of high-density rubber mounts toisolate the rider from the engine and gearbox, the rider could experience amuch smoother ride. Like many two-wheeler manufacturers, Norton has alwaysunderstood that its fanbase want to remain in touch with those classic designsof the past, and Norton has certainly never disappointed on that front.While Triumph will always have Steve McQueen jumping fences in The Great Escape, Norton can boast its own set of high profile moments and riders too. Bond movie Spectre featured a Norton Dominator, while the Che Guevara movie The Motorcycle Diaries featured a battered Norton 500 christened La Poderosa (\u2018The Mighty One\u2019). And of course actor Keanu Reeves regularly gives Norton free advertising by being seen out and about on his 1973 Commando 950 Mk II Roadster. A recently published set of accounts from accountants HSKSGreenhalgh stated that Norton\u2019s survival is \u2018\u2026dependent on the future financialsupport of its bankers and its creditors\u2019. If the Norton company was to disappear,100 jobs at the Castle Donington factory would potentially be lost.My own love of Norton came about through learning of myuncle riding one during the Second World War, and I remember choosing motorbikemags over comics as a small boy on holiday to stare at these magnificent classicmachines with wide eyes. While this is indeed sad news and a shock, I\u2019m sure weall hope that Norton, such a long-standing motorbike manufacturer, will find away out and survive."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Iconic British Motorcycle Brand Norton in Administration","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/iconic-british-motorcycle-brand-norton-in-administration\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]