Kendal food business that supplied Fortnum & Mason goes into administration

All 20 employees at The Ultimate Food Company, located on Beezon Estate, have been redundant and administrators are now marketing the business and its assets.

The company was founded in 1986 and produced Christmas and sponge puddings, rum and brandy butters, dessert sauces and chutneys.

It had established itself as a well recognised and highly regarded business, supplying its puddings to Fortnum and Mason - the grocer by royal appointment to Her Majesty.

However, it has been placed into administration with Ian McCulloch and Dean Watson of Begbies Traynor appointed as joint administrators.

Councillor Graham Vincent, economy and assets portfolio holder for South Lakeland District Council said that it was a 'blow' for the town.

"It's a shock," he said. "Plainly it's not a desirable position but I would hope the administrator would be able to find a buyer for the business. I would feel quite optimistic that the business is basically sound.

"It is a bitter blow and not what we were expecting, at the moment our news is all good."

Cllr Vincent highlighted that businesses such as Mardix and Kendal Nutricare were thriving and employment levels in the district were high.

"I would hope that a buyer would be found and the employees would be retained or the opportunity would be presented to them," he said.

Mr McCulloch said “Ultimate was an established, well recognised and highly regarded food manufacturer which has unfortunately ceased to trade due to a number of issues. We are currently in the process of marketing the business and assets for sale and should there be any interested parties then please get in touch."

And Mr Watson added: “Action has been taken to minimise the impact of the administration on customers and to seek interested parties that may want to continue with this highly respected business. This course of action should assist in maximising the returns to creditors by allowing increased asset realisations."