80 jobs lost after coffee chain enters administration

80 jobs have been lost after healthy cafe chain Filmore and Union was forced into a pre-pack administration.

The Wetherby-headquartered business has shut its head office and seven stores.

However 150 jobs have been saved after Coffeesmiths Collective purchased 10 stores and its production kitchen in Wetherby for an undisclosed sum.

American group Coffeesmiths Collective operates 15 UK brands including Department of Coffee and Social Affairs, and is a partner of Leeds-based La Bottega Milanese. In February it bought the Baker & Spice chain for £2.5m after the collapse of Patisserie Valerie.

Filmore and Union’s problems were caused by “severe cash flow pressures following a period of challenging trading”.

Joint administrator Phil Pierce, a partner at FHP Advisory, said: “We are pleased to have been able to secure a deal which crucially protects a large number of jobs in the local area and will help to maximise returns for creditors.

“Unfortunately, it has not been possible to secure the sale of all sites, and we are working with the Redundancy Payments Service to provide support for all employees affected at this difficult time.”

The closed stores Moortown, Skipton, Wetherby, York, Jesmond near Newcastle, and two in Harrogate.

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