Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd, a UK crisp brand previously stocked in major supermarkets including Tesco and Sainsbury's, has collapsed into administration and stopped trading after 54 years of operation. The company, established in 1972, supplied potatoes to shops throughout the UK and Ireland before launching its Glens of Antrim crisp range in 2015.
Administrators Appointed
The business, headquartered in Cushendall and Ballymena, ceased operations after Stuart Irwin, Ian Leonard, and Robin Coughlin from Interpath were named as joint administrators on September 21.
Mr Irwin, who is also managing director at Interpath, said: "Glens of Antrim has been growing and supplying potatoes across Ireland for over 50 years, so this is 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."
Job Losses and Financial Struggles
Glens of Antrim employed 95 workers, though most have now been laid off, with only a handful retained to assist with the administration proceedings. The company's demise stems from escalating expenses throughout the agri-food industry, which placed enormous strain on enterprises along the entire supply chain.
Consequently, Glens of Antrim encountered severe cash flow difficulties and was forced to shut down. The directors examined various options including refinancing and pursuing fresh investment, but none proved successful. The administrators are now appealing for interest in the company and its assets, urging any prospective purchasers or parties keen on acquiring the business to get in touch without delay.
Other Recent Administrations
This is not the sole firm to have collapsed into administration lately. True Brit Entertainment, a prominent UK film distributor, has also recently tumbled into administration following three years of trading. The organisation focused on securing UK rights for major cinema releases, including the recently launched Hugh Jackman picture, The Death of Robin Hood.
Established by seasoned film industry figure Zygi Kamasa in 2023, the firm assisted in co-financing and producing numerous British film and television ventures. It emerged at the close of September that the enterprise had been placed into administration, with administrators assigned to the company earlier last week, blaming "extremely challenging market conditions".
