Abattoir goes into administration – 130 jobs lost

By Alice Foster

- Last updated on GMT

Job losses after abattoir enters administration

Related tags Livestock Slaughterhouse

More than 130 jobs have been lost after one of the north of England’s largest independent abattoirs entered administration last month.

B Riley & Sons, based in Burnley, ceased trading due to significant cash-flow difficulties and all its employees were made redundant in the run up to Christmas.

The abattoir and meat processor had focused mainly on supplying lamb to the UK and Europe’s halal wholesale market, but also supplied beef.

One of largest independent abattoirs

Joint administrator Paul Flint, an associate partner at KPMG, described the meat business as one of the largest independent abattoirs in the north of England.

“We are assisting the employees through this difficult time with making claims to the Redundancy Payments Office for their wages and other associated redundancy claims,” ​Flint said.

“We are now seeking a buyer for the business and its assets, and would urge any interested parties to contact the joint administrators as soon as possible.”

Abattoir facility extended and renovated

The company’s abattoir facility was extended and renovated in October 2014 to boost throughput to 12,000 sheep per week. Its premises also include three freehold homes, a butcher’s shop and 60 acres of agricultural land.

The firm, which employed 131 people before going into administration, held British Retail Consortium (BRC) accreditation. The halal meat industry is estimated to be worth £2.6bn a year to the UK.

For meat to be sold as halal, animals must be alive at the time of slaughter and a prayer said before their throats are cut and blood drained. 

Related topics Meat, poultry & seafood

Related news

2 comments

Good riddence

Posted by Joanne Smith,

Sorry for sounding harsh - but I decided that on January 1st of this year I would no longer eat meat. One of the main reasons is because this country (the UK) is becoming in favour of halal which I find disgusting and inappropriate. It causes unnecessary distress and suffering to the animals and a cruel way to slaughter them.

I’m actually glad this abittoir has closed down.

Report abuse

Mr.

Posted by Carl Linderman,

Why is it these companies always seem to lose people their jobs " in the run up to Christmas"

Report abuse

Follow us

Featured Jobs

View more

Webinars

PRODUCTS & SERVICES