Baker Ainsleys in administration
YORKSHIRE bakery chain Ainsleys has gone into administration, blaming rising food prices, energy costs and competition on the High Street.
The family business employs almost 300 staff and operates 29 shops across West Yorkshire.
Joe McLean and Keith Hinds, partners at the Leeds office of accountancy firm Grant Thornton, have been appointed joint administrators and are seeking to sell the company as a going concern.
It is understood the company has suffered declining retail sales due to the recession, as well as competition.
The company, which was founded in 1938 and is supplied by its own bakery in the Sheepscar area of Leeds, employs 263 full and part-time workers and a further 30 temporary staff.
