Administrators appointed to Glens of Antrim Potatoes

Administrators have been appointed to Northern Ireland business Glens of Antrim Potatoes.

The business operates from sites in Cushendall and Ballymena and employs 95 staff, most of whom have lost their jobs.

Stuart Irwin, Ian Leonard and Robin Coughlin from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd on Monday.

A statement said the company had now stopped trading and "with deep regret" all its employees, aside from a skeleton staff supporting the administrators, had been made redundant.

Established in 1972, Glens of Antrim Potatoes began growing and packing potatoes for supermarkets and grocery chains across the island.

It now also produces a range of hand-cooked potato crisps under the Glens of Antrim Crisps brand and makes own-label crisps for Tesco in the Republic under its Finest range.

Stuart Irwin described it as "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".

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said it was "very disappointing" and "a substantial blow to the agricultural sector".

"This is a serious matter, particularly at this time of year," he added.

"It is my fervent hope that a suitable buyer will emerge."