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.