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WHAT EVER HAPPEND TO NORMAN MASON EX RACEHORSE TRAINER.
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A NORTH-EAST gaming empire owned by a Grand National- winning racehorse trainer has gone into administration, it emerged yesterday.
Sunderland-based Mason Organisation, owned by racehorse trainer Norman Mason, has closed all 13 of its arcades, making 51 people redundant, after falling into financial difficulty.
Administrator MB Insolvency told The Northern Echo it had been appointed on Tuesday of last week, but earlier this week decided to shut the arcades, which are found throughout Sunderland.
The company’s owner, Mr Mason, a 72-year-old self-made millionaire, shot to fame in 2001 when his horse, Red Marauder, won the Grand National, at 33-1.
The Mason Organisation, which has its head office in Sunderland’s Leechmere Industrial Estate, was founded when former bouncer Mr Mason took over the Savoy bingo hall, in the Southwick area of his home city, in 1962.
Since then, Mr Mason has expanded his gaming group to include sites across Sunderland.
The arcades have been the source of funding for his 30-year career in horse racing.
Yesterday it was confirmed that the Mason Organisation was in trouble.
A spokeswoman for MB Insolvency said: “I can confirm we were appointed on November 3. We are in the early stages of looking at matters.
“Staff were told that all arcades were closing with immediate effect.”
The development comes five years after Mr Mason was caught up in controversy, when he was ordered to pay £54,000 by magistrates, after accepting that three of his companies had not paid £180,000 in VAT between 1999 and 2002. His fine was reduced to £12,000 on appeal.
Last year, he put his manor house home, with a 341-acre estate and 30 stables, near Brancepeth, Durham City, up for sale for £3m, claiming he was “fed up with Britain, the Government, the whole damn lot”.
The racing yard had not been used since stable jockey Richard Guest, who rode Red Marauder to victory, left earlier last year.
The 2001 Aintree race was one of the most gruelling Grand Nationals of all-time, with only four horses finishing.
After the victory, Mr Mason donated his owner’s trophy to his home city. HTH
Sunderland-based Mason Organisation, owned by racehorse trainer Norman Mason, has closed all 13 of its arcades, making 51 people redundant, after falling into financial difficulty.
Administrator MB Insolvency told The Northern Echo it had been appointed on Tuesday of last week, but earlier this week decided to shut the arcades, which are found throughout Sunderland.
The company’s owner, Mr Mason, a 72-year-old self-made millionaire, shot to fame in 2001 when his horse, Red Marauder, won the Grand National, at 33-1.
The Mason Organisation, which has its head office in Sunderland’s Leechmere Industrial Estate, was founded when former bouncer Mr Mason took over the Savoy bingo hall, in the Southwick area of his home city, in 1962.
Since then, Mr Mason has expanded his gaming group to include sites across Sunderland.
The arcades have been the source of funding for his 30-year career in horse racing.
Yesterday it was confirmed that the Mason Organisation was in trouble.
A spokeswoman for MB Insolvency said: “I can confirm we were appointed on November 3. We are in the early stages of looking at matters.
“Staff were told that all arcades were closing with immediate effect.”
The development comes five years after Mr Mason was caught up in controversy, when he was ordered to pay £54,000 by magistrates, after accepting that three of his companies had not paid £180,000 in VAT between 1999 and 2002. His fine was reduced to £12,000 on appeal.
Last year, he put his manor house home, with a 341-acre estate and 30 stables, near Brancepeth, Durham City, up for sale for £3m, claiming he was “fed up with Britain, the Government, the whole damn lot”.
The racing yard had not been used since stable jockey Richard Guest, who rode Red Marauder to victory, left earlier last year.
The 2001 Aintree race was one of the most gruelling Grand Nationals of all-time, with only four horses finishing.
After the victory, Mr Mason donated his owner’s trophy to his home city. HTH
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