'A sad outcome' - Administrators appointed to Glens of Antrim Potatoes

Administrators have been appointed to the agri-food business, Glens of Antrim Potatoes.

The company operates from sites in Cushendall and Ballymena and employs 95 staff, most of whom have lost their jobs.

Stuart Irwin, Ian Leonard and Robin Coughlin from Interpath were appointed joint administrators on Monday.

A statement said the company had now stopped trading and "with deep regret" all its employees, aside from a skeleton staff supporting the administrators, had been made redundant.

The joint administrators said the agri-food sector had faced significant challenges over the past few years, with businesses up and down the supply chain impacted heavily by rising input costs.

Significant factors included rising employment costs, fuel and energy prices and machinery costs.

"For Glens of Antrim, these pressures had a significant and detrimental impact on cashflow," they said.

As a result of this, the administrators said the directors "explored a range of options, including refinancing and investment" but no solvent options were available.

Interest in the business and its assets are now being sought.

Established in 1972, Glens of Antrim Potatoes began growing and packing potatoes for supermarkets and grocery chains across the island.

It also produces a range of hand-cooked potato crisps under the Glens of Antrim Crisps brand and makes own-label crisps for Tesco in the Republic of Ireland under its Finest range.

Stuart Irwin described it as "a tremendously sad outcome for the business, its dedicated team, the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland, and the wider community in Ballymena and Cushendall".

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said it was "very disappointing" and "a substantial blow to the agricultural sector".

"This is a serious matter, particularly at this time of year," he added.

"It is my fervent hope that a suitable buyer will emerge."