There are welcome indications that the company may yet be sold as a going concern. Let us hope that such an outcome can be achieved swiftly and that, insofar as there my be any unresolved financial or other issues involving stock craft and the general public, they are dealt with fairly and responsibly by those concerned, whatever the legal or contractual niceties.

Retaining public confidence in the industry, already suffering the impact of rising interest rates, stock market jitters, the Earls Court/ExCeL debacle and one of the poorest summers in memory, is of vital importance. The Southampton Boat Show will be a litmus test to the industry and the BMF.

If manufacturers can fill the empty spaces left by Peters, and the organisers and exhibitors hold their collective nerves, then ‘the show will go on’ in every sense.

Meanwhile, I question whether it is now realistic, or desirable, to expect agents or distributors to alone meet the ever increasing cost and risk of operating an agency and dealing the ever increasing incidence of warranty work or rejection within the present dealer margins.

Profit is the reward for taking risk. At present not enough manufacturers seem prepared to fairly share either the risk or the profit, or take responsibility for quality control issues. If the situation continues, I anticipate many dealers will be faced with the stark choice of changing agencies, renegotiating their terms, switching to working on a commission basis, or shutting up shop.

Manufacturers should think these issues through carefully.