Sweeneys collapses after losing Burberry

A SALFORD clothing company has been forced to close after losing its orders with Burberry.

Manchester insolvency specialist Tomlinsons has been appointed to handle Sweeneys Ltd which is now being wound up. Creditors will meet on February 24.

Alan Tomlinson said the business, which employed 34 staff, was heavily dependent on Burberry, with its orders for the clothing group accounting for around 90% of turnover.

“Burberry retrenched and they lost them,” said Mr Tomlinson. “We were instructed a week ago and it will go into liquidation on February 24.”

Sweeneys specialised in turning around cut, make and trim (CMT) orders for clothing manufacturers.

The business was founded in February 2005 by owners John Sweeney and Mark Sweeney. Mr Tomlinson said it did not have large debts with the Inland Revenue likely to be the biggest creditor.

According to the most recent filed accounts at Companies House, Sweeneys had assets of £93,000 in the year to October 2007, and owed £92,000.