'No intention of giving up' - Family-owned Sussex bakery in fight for survival amid insolvency proceedings

The management team behind Worthing-based Piglet’s Pantry spoke exclusively to the Worthing Herald – at the business’ HQ in Decoy Road – about the future of the business, after confirming insolvency practitioners have been appointed.

Despite the financial difficulties, the company insists it is continuing to trade, most of the staff remain at work, and interest from potential buyers is already being received as part of an accelerated mergers and acquisitions process launched earlier this week.

Bosses did, however, admit that staff have been asked to continue working without pay. They have instead been offered a small daily allowance.

A spokesperson said the firm’s ‘only focus’ is protecting jobs and securing a buyer.

“We are insolvent, but we are trying to trade through that,” they said. “We are not in administration. We are still very firmly supplying all of our clients.

“At the moment, we’re in an accelerated mergers and acquisitions process, which was instructed on Monday.”

The meeting with the management team came after a disgruntled member of staff spoke to this newspaper, on the condition of anonymity. They claimed the situation could have been handled better – alleging that there has been a lack of communication from the top.

Asked how staff have been addressed about insolvency, the spokesperson for the business said: “We obviously had to send a formal letter out as instructed by our insolvency practitioner.

“All of the team were personally addressed on Monday morning.

“I’m a great believer in telling the truth – it is what it is.

“We told them the full truth and said our best option is to keep trading.

“It was a difficult day for everybody. The next day, over 90 per cent of people turned back up and said, ‘We’re here for you.’”

Piglet’s Pantry, which had been celebrating its 15th anniversary, began in 2011 from a home kitchen before growing into a business with a turnover just under £10 million.

Its rapid expansion followed a chance conversation at Brighton & Hove Albion that led to the company being selected as the club’s local pie supplier.

“We designed the pies in our kitchen at home and went through over 100 pies from around the country,” the spokesperson said. “To be chosen was beyond anyone’s expectations. What was expected to be around 2,500 pies rapidly became 10,000.”

The relationship with Brighton, bosses stressed, is very different to arrangements elsewhere that have recently attracted attention.

Portsmouth Football Club, which is a catering partner, stated on Thursday (February 5): “We are liaising with the insolvency practitioners on an ongoing basis about these issues and are pressing them for urgent solutions.

“As part of these discussions, we are exploring ways in which Portsmouth Football Club will be able to step in to assist with the performance of these functions for the remainder of the season."

In response, the Piglets Pantry management team said: “We’re aware of the statement from Portsmouth Football Club in the press and we continue to work offline with the two parties to see if we can find resolutions for the situation.”

At Brighton and Hove Albion, the business supplies pies and sausage rolls on matchdays.

"We don’t operate at the facility,” the spokesperson explained.

“They are like any of our other customers in that sense, but it’s the home where where we first started.”

Piglet’s Pantry confirmed it will continue supplying food at the Amex Stadium, with products available for Brighton’s upcoming match against Crystal Palace.

“The pies will be there on Sunday,” the spokesperson said. “Please buy them, please keep supporting us. That support is directly helping us try to save the business and find a buyer.”

Fans were also reassured that the company’s online shop remains open on a rolling, week-by-week basis, with all orders currently being honoured.

“Our message to the fans is simply thank you,” they said. “The outpouring of love over the last few days has been incredible.

"We've got no intention of giving up on Brighton. Obviously we just hope that the club would feel the same after the 15 years we've all given each other.”

Piglet’s Pantry employs more than 70 staff, many of whom have chosen to remain at work despite the uncertainty.

“Over 90 per cent of our staff are currently working to help trade through this situation,” the spokesperson said. “They believe in Piglet’s and they want to secure its future.

“It is a family business, but it’s also a family ethos.

“Our staff grew really rapidly from about 20 people to over 70. Many of them have been loyal throughout that period, some have been with us the whole way.

“Our staff have been awesome in terms of the support we’ve had. Over 90 per cent of our staff are currently still working to trade through this situation.”

Expressions of interest from potential buyers have already been received, with a deadline of Monday, February 9 for further approaches. The company’s leadership team said the priority is their people – getting them paid, keeping them in jobs, and giving the business a future.

“We are extremely hopeful,” the spokesperson said.

“We've had some more interest today as well.”

The letter sent internally to staff members was seen by this newspaper.

This addressed the fact that staff have not yet been paid their January salary.

The letter read: “We have been trying all options to avoid it coming to this, and if it is at all possible, we will make the payments as soon as the financial position allows. Unfortunately, this is out of our control, but we will confirm as soon as we know anything concrete.

“Should we not able to make the payments, we will be considered insolvent. Rest assured that if that occurs, you will be contacted by the insolvency practitioner with directions on how to apply to the government to receive your money. You can claim for up to eight weeks wages, as well as any owed annual leave.

“We recognise the seriousness of this situation and understand the distress this may cause you and your families.”

At the end of this letter, the business included links to review for more information and support.