More than 170 jobs lost as pork pie producer falls into administration

Vale of Mowbray, a historic North Yorkshire pork pie producer, has gone into administration with the loss of more than 170 jobs.

Martyn Pullin, Mark Hodgett and David Shambrook of business advisory firm FRP have been appointed joint administrators of the company, which employed 219 workers.

The business’s origins date back to Vale of Mowbray Brewery, which opened in 1795, and the company began producing pork pies in 1928.

The Leeming Bar-based business suffered serious financial issues in recent years. It had been hit by rising raw material input prices, increasing energy costs as well as recruitment problems.

A marketing process tried to find fresh investment but did not receive viable offers. On appointment of administrators, a total of 171 staff were made redundant.

Remaining employees have been retained in the short-term as the joint administrators wind up operations. There will be an asset sale of Vale of Mowbray’s two manufacturing bases in Leeming Bar, plant and machinery, along with intellectual property.

Pullin, partner at FRP and joint administrator, explained: “The Vale of Mowbray was a proud family business with a loved brand that has been synonymous with pork pies for generations.

“But the increasingly difficult trading conditions being experienced by many energy and labour intensive manufacturing businesses have ultimately led to the business’ closure.

“We are urgently calling on any interested parties to come forward. In the meantime, we are preparing to wind up the business’ operations and move towards an asset sale in line with our statutory obligations.”

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