Bodnant Welsh Food Centre – latest update

Bodnant Welsh Food Centre (BWFC) is continuing to trade whilst a purchaser is sought through an accelerated sales process with the help of the Business Recovery & Insolvency team of Smith Cooper. This process will continue until 30^th November.

A number of customer enquiries have been made regarding the status of upcoming events due to take place including breakfast with Santa, cookery classes and weddings.

Most events planned in November will continue to run. Where an event has been cancelled, BWFC will be in touch with the individuals who made the original bookings. Urgent consideration is being given to all events planned after November, and the outcome of these will be dependant on whether a purchaser can be found.

Dean Nelson, Head of Business Recovery and Insolvency at Smith Cooper comments: “Our main aim is to try and secure the future of the business and its employees by finding a suitable buyer. Should one be found, the status of any future events will be at their discretion.

We understand this is a deeply concerning time for the customers of BWFC, some of whom have made payments for their wedding. For those who have made payments for their wedding using a credit card and wish to cancel the event, we would suggest contacting your credit card provider who should offer you a refund. If you have paid for your wedding using a debit card and wish to cancel the event, whilst not guaranteed, your bank still may be able to offer a refund.

Where a wedding is booked and you have wedding insurance, then please speak to your insurers.”

A redundancy consultation has been initiated with members of staff as an essential element of the process.

No further statements shall be made by the employees or directors of Furnace Farm Limited. All further updates will be issued by Smith Cooper directly, as the confidential and accelerated sales process progresses.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• About Bodnant Welsh Food Centre: Set in the heart of Conwy Valley and surrounded by the stunning scenery of Snowdonia, Bodnant’s multi-award-winning Welsh Food Centre, established in 2012, provides a showcase for the best of Welsh food. Bodnant Welsh Food Centre aims to source primarily from local food producers - over 50% of the products sold are made on-site, with 85% of all products in the Farm shop sourced from Wales. Within the centre you will find a farm shop and tea room, as well as a cookery school and wine shop running regular cookery and wine tasting courses. On 22nd October, the business sought advisory help from Smith Cooper, due to a challenging trading period and falling sales, despite heavy investment from its owners. On 29th October, it was decided that the business would continue to trade in an orderly wind down for one month, and that a buyer is currently being sought. All employees have been informed that their jobs could be at risk.
• About Smith Cooper: Smith Cooper is one of the largest independently owned and preferred accountancy and business advisory firms for owner managed businesses across the Midlands. The firm specialises in providing intelligent, efficient and cost-effective bespoke advisory services to both corporate and individual clients. Smith Cooper has seven offices across the Midlands including Derby, Birmingham and Nottingham.
• For press queries: Get in touch with rebecca.foster@smithcooper.co.uk or call 0115 945 4300.