Press release - 23 November 2018 14:26

A future for the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre

The Bodnant Welsh Food Centre looks as if it will be saved, thanks to local businessman, Richard Reynolds.

The Food Centre, which showcases the very best of Welsh food including fresh and locally sourced meat and dairy products, entered an accelerated sales process earlier this month.

Dean Nelson, Head of Business Recovery and Insolvency at Smith Cooper commented: “Despite best efforts and considerable investment from the owners, the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre was operating in an unsustainable manner. We have undertaken an intense sales process for a month and we are delighted to have found a potential buyer for the business and its assets. Our hope is that a sale can be concluded shortly and that the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre will continue to provide the local community and visitors with a first-class food centre.”

The sale will enable the business to continue to trade, resulting in planned and future weddings continuing without disruption.

Potential Purchaser Richard Reynolds commented: “I am delighted and honoured to be close to securing the ownership of the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre and will be working hard to ensure its future success. I strongly believe that the excellent location, award-winning produce and strong reputation will enable the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre to continue to thrive and grow for many years to come.

I am also extremely pleased to announce that once the sale is concluded, after what was a distressing time for many couples, that we are looking to honour any weddings which have been booked, whilst also taking into consideration deposits which have already been paid. We look forward to welcoming the couples and their guests through our doors.”

Owner, Michael McLaren commented: “I greatly regret that the directors of Furnace Farm Ltd. could not get the business to trade profitably, despite huge investment of time and money over many years. But we remain very proud of the original concept behind the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre, together with the economic benefits the Food Centre bought to the area, and the numerous awards we won.

I am delighted to have found a potential buyer who aims to take over and continue essentially the same range of businesses in this wonderful location, under the name Bodnant Welsh Food. I wish Richard all success in the business, and I am thrilled that the business and concept will survive and that the benefits to the area will continue as before.”

The Bodnant Welsh Food Centre continues its clearance sale with enticing offers including up to 50% off all farm shop stock starting on 23^rd November.

Address details: The Bodnant Welsh Food Centre, Furnace Farm, Tal-y-Cafn, Conwy, LL28 5RP. www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk

Opening times: Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm, Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm

Notes to Editors:

About the 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 29^thOctober, 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.

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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 six offices across the Midlands including Derby, Birmingham and Nottingham.