Anglo Dutch Meats folds

Anglo Dutch Meats (ADM) has been plunged into administration with the loss of 90 jobs at its meat processing plant in Eastbourne.

The company was hit badly by debt when one of its major manufacturing customers, The Lyndale Group, which makes savoury pies and pasties, also entered administration earlier this month.

ADM, which was once one of the largest employers in Eastbourne, was set up more than 30 years ago and survived crises such as BSE and foot and mouth disease.

Administrator Kroll was called in last week after a desperate search for buyers yielded no results. In a statement, Kroll said: “Peter Holder and Anne O’Keefe, partners at Kroll’s Corporate Advisory & Restructuring Group, were appointed as joint administrators to Cibus Group, Anglo Dutch Meats (Exports) and Anglo Dutch Meats (UK).

“Due to cash flow difficulties caused by large bad debt, the companies have entered administration."

Holder said: "Despite the efforts of management to secure funding in recent months, there was no choice but to cease trading and place the business into administration. Regrettably we can confirm that 90 employees have been made redundant and we will keep the remaining 10 employees fully updated on the situation.

"Our immediate priority is to explore all options for the business, including identifying potential purchasers."