nuNov 6, 2026, 15:10

Judge grants Bruna owner Audax breathing room for financial troubles

The parent company of Bruna, Audax, has been granted a cooling-off period by a judge to restructure its debts and avoid bankruptcy. The company faces severe liquidity issues, which it attributes to a consortium that allegedly failed to deliver a promised 8.6 million euro investment.

A judge has granted Audax, the parent company of bookstore chains Bruna and The ReadShop as well as distributor Betapress, a cooling-off period to address its severe liquidity issues. This legal measure, part of the WHOA restructuring framework, temporarily protects the company from creditors seizing assets, providing necessary breathing room to negotiate financial agreements and avoid bankruptcy.

The current management of Audax blames the financial instability on the consortium Lector Capital, which acquired the company from the De Leeuw family. Audax alleges that Lector Capital promised 8.6 million euros in funding that was never delivered, directly contributing to the firm's cash flow crisis. While the management is preparing legal action to recover these funds and exploring alternative financing options, they are currently utilizing the court-ordered cooling-off period to attempt a reorganization of their debts.

Economy Business Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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