Quick action saves 70 jobs at stricken firm

It is understood that in the run up to the Christmas trading period last year the company suffered from "severe" cash flow difficulties and the directors instigated the administration of the company themselves.

Rob Clarke, managing director of Fawcetts Quality Butchers, bought the retail sector of the company, which consists of 22 retail shops in Yorkshire and the North East. Harrogate-based commercial law firm Davidson Webber assisted Mr Clarke on the management buyout. Law firm Walker Morris represented the administrator David Willis of Jackson Jollife Cork.

Mr Willis told the Journal that when they were appointed as administrators the interest that was shown in the business was limited to the retail sector. The meat processing and packaging operation has ceased to trade. "We have got to the stage where we are planning to dispose of the meat processing plant and equipment by auction," Mr Willis said.

A total of 20 redundancies have been made at Fawcetts Quality Butchers since it went into administration.

Neil Large, of Davidson Webber, said: "This was a complicated turnaround that required us to give round-the-clock advice as it was imperative to ensure continuity for trading operations.

"We then completed a sale with the administrators as quickly as possible to minimise the impact on the business. Having developed a strong relationship with the new management team, we are looking forward to helping them drive the business forward."

Fawcetts Quality Butchers, based in Sunderland, was founded by Chris Fawcett in 1925 and developed a small chain of retail outlets when his four sons entered the business.

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