UK cake maker plunges into administration as 120 staff face uncertain future

A prominent UK factory which makes cakes for sale in shops has collapsed into administration. The facility had previously entered administration a decade ago before being acquired. However, the company that purchased it has now also gone into administration. More Food Ltd was taken over by Sussex Bakes in 2017, with the latter recently entering administration, according to an official notice published in the London Gazette . The business was established in Chichester , West Sussex, in 2003 and has been providing traybakes and other baked products to bakeries and major retailers ever since. It runs a 28,000 sq ft "state-of-the-art" facility employing 120 staff. The factory produces a broad range of More Food and Sussex Bakes branded items, but also manufactures own-label baked goods for prominent high street retailers, coffee chains, restaurant groups and wholesalers. Its range includes muffins, cookies (baked and unbaked), meringues, tarts, traybakes and bespoke seasonal products created for holidays such as Christmas and Easter. The notice in The Gazette confirmed that Sussex Bakes Ltd, trading as More Foods, entered administration on May 11. This is a procedure whereby an insolvent firm gets an external party to manage it with the goal of rescuing all or part of the business. It provides the company with breathing space and enables it to continue operating while it attempts to turn things around. It also shields it from action by creditors. Sussex Bakes Ltd is yet to release a statement regarding entering administration. The Mirror has contacted the company seeking a response. The official notice confirms that David Kemp and Richard Hunt, both of Exigen Group Limited in London, have been appointed as joint administrators of the company, reports the Express . More Food Ltd was acquired by Sussex Bakes immediately after it fell into administration in 2017 as part of a 'going concern sale', with all 150 factory jobs being saved at the time. The business began life as Upstairs Downstairs, a coffee shop serving scones, cakes and other baked goods to locals, founded by Caron Howe and a close friend. It swiftly gained popularity, attracting other businesses to the coffee shop in search of baked goods for their customers. This ultimately led to the café side of the business being sold off, with the company shifting its focus towards wholesale supply. The company's website states: "We proudly produce award-winning, premium handmade cakes and indulgent treats, delivering both branded and own label ranges across the retail and food service sectors."