Latest news with #PatchworkFoods
Powys County Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Food firm in liquidation after Powys rescue attempt fails
A 43-year-old food business has entered liquidation after attempts by a Powys businessman to save the company were unsuccessful. Patchwork Foods in Ruthin was founded in 1982 by Margaret Carter in her kitchen, and went on to become famous for pates and other specialities. An award-winning business for much of its four decades of trading, Margaret, son Rufus and business partner Jen Whitham helped it achieve a £2 million annual turnover. The trio left the business as directors in May 2024, with Newtown businessman Scott Davies, of Davies Enterprise Holdings Limited, taking a controlling share. Mr Davies, who also runs Hilltop Honey in Newtown, said the decision to close the company was made as he could no longer personally fund the company. He added that the company showed "no future of getting to break even or generating a positive cash flow". In a statement to North Wales Live, he said: "I took a controlling share of Patchwork Foods in May 2024 to try and turn the business around as it was close to insolvency. "After 12 months of hard effort, tough decisions, great work by staff and a significant amount of investment the company still showed no future of getting to break even or generating a positive cash flow. "I personally funded Patchwork every week throughout the 12 months in order to meet creditor payments. "I could no longer continue doing so which led me to the decision to liquidate. "It's a sad day for Ruthin, local area and the Welsh food and drink environment of which I'm a huge champion." Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins said: "I am saddened and disappointed to hear about the closure of Patchwork Foods, which has been part of the business community for over 40 years, achieving national acclaim for its produce. "If anyone from the workforce needs support, I would encourage them to contact my office on
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Award-winning food business which appeared on Channel 4 series suddenly closes after nearly 50 years
It was known for its pâté and speciality dishes CLOSING TIME Award-winning food business which appeared on Channel 4 series suddenly closes after nearly 50 years AN AWARD-winning food business which appeared on Channel 4 has suddenly closed after nearly 50 years. From humble beginnings to award winnings, the owner transformed her business into a £2 million venture. 2 Patchwork Foods was started back in 1982 by Margaret Carter Credit: Patchwork Foods 2 The company, based in North Wales, was known for its pâté and speciality dishes Credit: Patchwork Foods Patchwork Foods in Ruthin, North Wales, was started by Margaret Carter on her kitchen table back in 1982. Margaret appeared on the six-part Channel 4 series: Aldi's Next Big Thing, alongside her business partner, Jen Whitham, who she met 46 years ago. The pair flaunted their black pudding jam hoping to bag a spot on Aldi's shelves. Rufus, Margaret' son, was also a director in the brand, but after the trio stepped back from their roles in may 2024, Davies Enterprise Holdings Limited, run by Scott Davies, took a controlling share. Mr Davies also runs Hilltop Honey based in Newtown, one of the UK's biggest honey producers. Alas, despite Mr Davies best efforts, the company was struggling financially. Following 12 months of "hard effort, tough decisions, and great work", he made the painful decision to close shop. He said: "I took a controlling share of Patchwork Foods in May 2024 to try and turn the business around as it was close to insolvency. "After 12 months of hard effort, tough decisions, great work by staff and a significant amount of investment the company still showed no future of getting to break even or generating a positive cash flow. Our once-booming town has become a benefits sinkhole where HALF of adults are out of work & bored, feral kids set homes alight with fireworks "I personally funded Patchwork every week throughout the 12 months in order to meet creditor payments. "I could no longer continue doing so which led me to the decision to liquidate. "It's a sad day for Ruthin, local area and the Welsh food and drink environment of which I'm a huge champion of." It comes after a cherished cat cafe revealed plans to close a branch after just two years. The owner of the novelty Essex business is shutting it down with a "heavy heart" after rising costs and declining pawfall made the business unviable. Meow Cat Cafe in Halstead is not your average high street coffee spot. A £3.50 entry fee grants you an hour of fun with the cafe's cuddly assistants. The resident cats live there whilst they search for a permanent home.
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Award-winning food business which appeared on Channel 4 series suddenly closes after nearly 50 years
AN AWARD-winning food business which appeared on Channel 4 has suddenly closed after nearly 50 years. From humble beginnings to award winnings, the owner transformed her business into a £2 million venture. 2 2 Patchwork Foods in Ruthin, North Wales, was started by Margaret Carter on her kitchen table back in 1982. Margaret appeared on the six-part Channel 4 series: Aldi's Next Big Thing, alongside her business partner, Jen Whitham, who she met 46 years ago. The pair flaunted their black pudding jam hoping to bag a spot on Aldi's shelves. Rufus, Margaret' son, was also a director in the brand, but after the trio stepped back from their roles in may 2024, Davies Enterprise Holdings Limited, run by Scott Davies, took a controlling share. Mr Davies also runs Hilltop Honey based in Newtown, one of the UK's biggest honey producers. Alas, despite Mr Davies best efforts, the company was struggling financially. Following 12 months of "hard effort, tough decisions, and great work", he made the painful decision to close shop. He said: "I took a controlling share of Patchwork Foods in May 2024 to try and turn the business around as it was close to insolvency. "After 12 months of hard effort, tough decisions, great work by staff and a significant amount of investment the company still showed no future of getting to break even or generating a positive cash flow. Our once-booming town has become a benefits sinkhole where HALF of adults are out of work & bored, feral kids set homes alight with fireworks "I personally funded Patchwork every week throughout the 12 months in order to meet creditor payments. "I could no longer continue doing so which led me to the decision to liquidate. "It's a sad day for Ruthin, local area and the Welsh food and drink environment of which I'm a huge champion of." It comes after a cherished cat cafe revealed plans to close a branch after just two years. The owner of the novelty Essex business is shutting it down with a "heavy heart" after rising costs and declining pawfall made the business unviable. A £3.50 entry fee grants you an hour of fun with the cafe's cuddly assistants. The resident cats live there whilst they search for a permanent home.
North Wales Live
25-04-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Well known pate firm Patchwork goes into liquidation
A well known North Wales food firm has gone into liquidation. Patchwork Foods in Ruthin was started by Margaret Carter on her kitchen table back in 1982. The business went on to become famous for its pates and other speciality foods. It scooped dozens of awards over the years as she developed it into a £2 million turnover venture alongside her son Rufus and business partner Jen Whitham. Margaret, Rufus and Jen left the business as directors in May 2024 with Davies Enterprise Holdings Limited, run by Scott Davies, taking a controlling share. Mr Davies also runs Hilltop Honey based in Newtown, one of the UK's biggest honey producers. North Wales Live was told of local redundancies at Patchwork in recent days and contacted the business - with Mr Davies releasing a statement today. Mr Davies said he took a controlling share in the business in May 2024 and tried to turn it around as it was struggling financially. But he said after 12 months of "hard effort" from everyone and him "personally funding" the business for months that he had to take the decision to shut the firm. He said: "I took a controlling share of Patchwork Foods in May 2024 to try and turn the business around as it was close to insolvency. After 12 months of hard effort, tough decisions, great work by staff and a significant amount of investment the company still showed no future of getting to break even or generating a positive cash flow. "I personally funded Patchwork every week throughout the 12 months in order to meet creditor payments. I could no longer continue doing so which led me to the decision to liquidate. It's a sad day for Ruthin, local area and the Welsh food and drink environment of which I'm a huge champion of."
