Jon Dow Distribution, a family-run wholesale supplier of fish and chips produce based in Angus, has collapsed into liquidation after nearly 25 years in business. The company, registered as J.D.R.B Ltd, had traded since 2002 but ceased operations following a period of declining trade.
Company Background and Operations
The firm was owned by Colin and Joan Muir, who are listed as directors on Companies House. It supplied fresh and frozen food to fish and chip shops, takeaways, restaurants and coffee shops across the north-east of Scotland. Its product range included frozen black and white puddings, pies, burgers, fish fillets, ribs and pizzas, alongside oils and batter mixes.
Trading from the Orchardbank Industrial Estate in Forfar, the company provided door-to-door delivery across seven routes covering Inverness, Elgin, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen, Montrose, Dundee, Fife and Perth.
Liquidation and Staff Impact
Directors determined that, following a period of declining trade, the business could no longer continue to operate. Geoff Jacobs and Alistair McAlinden of Interpath were appointed joint liquidators on October 26. A notice for the appointment of a provisional liquidator in a winding-up by the court, dated October 28, was presented to the Sheriff Court at Forfar.
Trading reportedly ceased prior to Interpath's appointment, with directors saying it was "with regret" that all five members of staff had been made redundant. Liquidators will now move to sell the company's assets, which include four delivery vehicles. A spokesperson for Interpath is said to have confirmed that staff are being supported in applying to the UK Government's insolvency service, and creditors will be contacted in the coming weeks.
Wider Challenges for Scottish Firms
Jon Dow Distribution is not the only Scottish business to face financial difficulties. Cars4You Limited, originally headquartered in Edinburgh, entered administration after more than a decade of trading. Founded in 2016, the independent family-run business operated from five showrooms in Straiton, Dunfermline, Falkirk and two in Edinburgh, with an inventory of up to 1,500 used cars. George Lafferty of BTG was appointed administrator on October 2, resulting in all 26 employees being made redundant.
Electrical firm BGL Contracts also appointed Geoffrey Isaac Jacobs and Alistair McAlinden of Interpath Advisory as joint administrators in September, leading to all 40 workers at the Glasgow-based company losing their jobs. Meanwhile, discount chain Poundland faces an uncertain future after bosses filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators near the end of October, putting its 600 remaining stores, 50 of them in Scotland, and 12,000 employees at risk if no rescue deal is found.
