Healthy eating fast food chain has gone into liquidation
A fast food chain which specialised in healthy eating has gone into liquidation.
The firm, which has a number of branches around Manchester, confirmed that it had ceased trading because a number of its stores were unprofitable.
The chain employed around 30 staff who were informed of the closures on Friday evening.
The company is thought to to have been in financial difficulty for more than six months.
Last May Soulmate Food Limited, which was based in Lancashire, was bought out of administration by Kettlebell Kitchen saving around 20 jobs.
Investor Jamie Alaise came on board two years ago.
Kettlebell is the latest in a number of restaurants and cafes in Manchester to have been hit by a downturn in trade.
In October more than 120 staff lost their jobs when the MAD Group ceased trading. The firm owned Walrus, The Blue Pig, Tusk and Rosylee in the Northern Quarter, and three Hula venues.
Other high profile closures have included Artisan and Manchester House.
Keep fit enthusiast Carley Jones, 33, founded the company in Ancoats two years ago.
Carley Jones
The firm had branches in First Street and in Salford as well as Ancoats.
Insolvency practitioners Fortis has been appointed to oversee the closures.
A statement from Kettlebell Kitchen said: “The company is entering liquidation due to a number of stores trading unprofitably, impacting cash flow and ultimately having a material negative effect on the rest of the business.
“The company had secured funding previously in order to meet wage payments and it was hoped the same would be possible on this occasion.
“Regrettably it was not possible and the company deeply regrets the affect this may have to staff and creditors.
“The company is Carley’s passion and she is devastated by events which have spiralled beyond her control.
“She has worked tirelessly since the company’s formation and remains committed to helping find a solution which will see the company through its current problems and minimise the impact to all stakeholders of the business.
“Staff were informed on Friday as it became clear, despite best efforts to find alternative funding, that the company had exhausted all available options and no additional funds would help us bridge the gaps with payments due to staff, creditors and HMRC.
“The company has faced financial difficulty for over half a year now and Carley has done all she can to keep staff employed and protected from those issues.
“Regrettably, this time it was not possible and the company deeply regrets the affect this may have to staff and creditors.”
