Burnley abattoir business bought out of administration

By Michelle Perrett

- Last updated on GMT

 Dale Valley Rossendale has acquired the assets of B Riley & Sons
Dale Valley Rossendale has acquired the assets of B Riley & Sons

Related tags Convenience store

The assets of B Riley & Sons, the Burnley-based abattoir business that went into administration in January with the loss of 130 jobs, has been sold to Dale Valley Rossendale.

Joint administrators Paul Flint and David Standish of KPMG, reported completing the sale of the business and key assets at the end of last month.

The deal will result in Dale Valley Rossendale acquiring seven properties, including an abattoir in Dunnockshaw near Burnley, Lancashire and other assets including plant and machinery.

According to Companies House, the company was incorporated on March 23 2016, with Stephen Lee Riley as its director. He is also director of Riley Brothers Wholesale Meats.

Paul Flint, associate partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said: “B Riley & Sons was one of the largest independent abattoir and meat processing businesses in the north of England, and a major supplier of lamb to the European market.

“We are, therefore, delighted to have been able to conclude this complex sale following a six month marketing and negotiation period, and particularly in light of the events of the last seven days.”

Flint and Standish were appointed joint administrators of B Riley & Sons on December 16 2015, after the company experienced significant cashflow difficulties. 

More than 130 jobs lost

More than 130 jobs were lost when the abattoir entered administration.

It ceased trading due to significant cash-flow difficulties and all its employees were made redundant in the run up to Christmas.

The abattoir and meat processor had focused on supplying lamb to the UK and Europe’s halal wholesale market, but also supplied beer.

At the time, Flint said the administrators were assisting the employees through the redundancy process.

12,000 sheep per week

The company’s abattoir facility was extended and renovated in October 2014 to boost throughput to 12,000 sheep per week. It also held British Retail Consortium accreditation.

The company and its joint administrators were assisted by Sanderson Weatherall and Eversheds on the transaction.

Over the past six months there has been a flurry of administrations.

Most recently, My Local, the convenience store chain, entered administration with jobs at risk at 1,650​. Last month the chain entered administration and 90 out of its 125 stores closed.

In February, the Cumbrian-based chocolate manufacturer Wilson’s fell into administration with the loss of 35 jobs, citing cash-flow difficulties​.

The previous month, Bakkavor warned 300 jobs were at risk​, after the chilled food manufacturer lost a key Tesco contract, according to the GMB union.

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