A major whitefish processor in Grimsby supplying the likes of Hilton Foods and Charlie Bigham’s has fallen into administration.
Recovery and insolvency specialist Interpath Advisory was appointed as administrator to Cook & Lucas Frozen (UK) Ltd on 20 January 2023.
It comes after the company “abruptly closed” its plant in Grimsby on 10 January, with approximately 80 members of staff being laid off, according to Interpath.
Following this unannounced closure, the Cook & Lucas-secured lender took steps to protect its position and sought the appointment of the administrator.
Cook & Lucas imports, processes and supplies seafood and whitefish, operating a smokehouse and processing plant in Grimsby.
It processes white fish for Hilton Foods to supply Tesco and also supplies smoked haddock used by Charlie Bigham’s in its premium fish pie ready meal.
James Clark, MD at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “Given the circumstances surrounding our appointment, our immediate priority is to take steps to secure the company’s assets, while seeking to gather further information about the company’s financial position.”
The most recent accounts available for Cook & Lucas Frozen (UK) at Companies House – for the year ended 3 April 2021 – showed net profits soared from £230k to £1.5m on revenues of £24m.
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