WSET to fund Oddbins diploma students

The Wine and Spirits Education Trust has pledged to fund Oddbins’ students currently on diploma programmes, after news broke last week that the off-licence chain is set for administration.

WSET chief executive Ian Harris, said: "Although many people expected the plug to be pulled on Oddbins, it is sad that such an iconic retailer has gone into administration.

It was particularly poignant for me having worked closely with the current Oddbins team and also having worked for Seagram, one of its former owners."

Despite WSET being unlikely to receive more than 7p in the pound on its outstanding debt of £17,000, the education trust wanted to ensure students are not disadvantaged.

"We took the bookings on courses starting in early 2011 knowing it was a financial risk, but as an educational charity we feel it is right for us to fund the cost of Oddbins’ students to complete the semester courses which they’ve already started.

"There is also a Bursary Fund available to help students to complete any further courses. I hope that all of them – and indeed all current Oddbins’ employees – are able to continue working in the wine and spirit industry," Harris added.

Lucy Shaw, 04.04.2011