130 jobs lost as meat supplier ceases trading

A BURNLEY-based lamb and beef supplier has ceased trading with the loss of more than 130 jobs.

Abattoir and meat processing specialist B Riley & Sons, went into administration on December. Paul Flint and David Standish at KPMG have been appointed joint administrators.

The company has closed as a result of significant cash flow problems and all employees have been made redundant.

Flint, associate partner at KPMG, said: “We are assisting the employees through this difficult time with making claims to the Redundancy Payments Office for their wages and other associated redundancy claims.

“The business is one of the largest independent abattoirs in the North of England, holding BRC accreditation focusing primarily on sheep throughput for the Halal wholesale market in the UK and EU, but also having beef capabilities.

“The premises consist of an abattoir facility which was extended and fully renovated in October 2014 to enable throughput to increase to 12,000 sheep per week; a farm comprising three freehold dwellings; a butchers shop; and an additional 60 acres of agricultural land.

“We are now seeking a buyer for the business and its assets, and would urge any interested parties to contact the joint administrators as soon as possible.”