Very much alive and kicking. I am sure Lagopus will be along later with loads of knowledge. After all he has all day to research, some of us have to work ha! ha!
But yes we should be able to furnish you with lots of George Bate information.
They still exist although they are now very much gun retailers. They have a shop in Birmingham and Stafford and one at Doveridge shooting ground, contact there is Matt Morgan, he can be contacted by email at gunroom@premierguns.co.uk.