Farmison & Co, the online meat retailer, has recently been acquired by a consortium led by the Yorkshire-based retailer and former CEO of Asda, Andy Clarke. The acquisition comes after Farmison & Co went into administration due to economic difficulties.
The consortium plans to reopen Farmison’s website in the coming weeks and will share updates with its customers and suppliers in due course. The retailer sells directly to consumers across the UK, as well as through wholesale channels such as Michelin-star restaurants, Harrods, Selfridges, and Fortnum & Mason.
Andy Clarke, who will serve as the executive chairman of Farmison, praised the vision of John Pallagi, co-founder of Farmison with Lee Simmons in 2011, stating that the “eat better meat” mission at the heart of the business has significant potential for growth. Clarke believes that by building on the ethos and values of Farmison, the consortium has an opportunity to scale the business and further develop both its direct-to-consumer and wholesale plans.
However, Clarke acknowledges that there is much work that needs to be done to get the business back on its feet and trading again. The consortium’s short-term goal is to bring financial stability to the business and re-engage with Farmison’s network of farmers while re-employing colleagues. Nonetheless, Clarke remains excited about Farmison’s prospects, given his Yorkshire roots and appreciation for Farmison’s commitment to providing the highest quality meat to customers while supporting local producers.
The joint administrator and partner at FRP Advisory, Arvindar Jit Singh, expressed his delight in securing a buyer for Farmison. Singh remarked that the Consortium’s proposal was the best opportunity for re-establishing the business and maximizing returns to creditors. Finally, he wished the team every success as they take the business forward.
In conclusion, Farmison & Co’s acquisition by the Yorkshire consortium led by Andy Clarke is a significant development in the UK’s online meat retail sector. The consortium’s commitment to building on the values and ethos of Farmison provides an exciting opportunity for growth and development, and re-engaging with its network of farmers and suppliers will be vital to achieving success in the long term.
