A family-run nursery which employs 40 people has called in the administrators.
Opperman Plants Limited, based on Mallard Road in Low Fulney, continues to operate as normal, as does its walk-in store Oppie’s Plants.
Administrators say they are ‘encouraged by the level of interest’ its potential sale has generated as it looks to safeguard jobs ‘where possible’ though one person has been made redundant.
The company was established in 1997 by Mike and Jenny Opperman and says it produces eight million plants a year, is ‘one of the biggest producers of tropical plants in the UK’ and supplies national supermarket brands including Morrison’s.
It was announced this week that Nathan Jones and John Lowe, of FRP Advisory, have been appointed as joint administrators.
A spokesman for that company said: “Opperman Plants Limited has faced a number of financial challenges in recent years, including the loss of key customers and rising costs.
“As a result, the directors sought advice from FRP Advisory and took steps to place the company into administration in order to protect the interests of creditors.
“The joint administrators are continuing to trade the business while actively progressing a sale process.
“A number of offers have been received, and discussions are ongoing with interested parties, with a view to securing a sale of the business and assets as a going concern.”
One employee has been made redundant as their role was no longer required and is being supported with a claim to the Redundancy Payments Service, while the remaining 40 employees have been retained and continue to be paid as the joint administrators explore a sale of the business.
Mr Jones, partner at FRP Advisory and joint administrator of Opperman Plants, said: “Opperman Plants is a long-established and well-regarded business with strong operational foundations and a diversified sales model.
“While it has faced a series of challenges in recent years, it continues to trade and fulfil customer demand.
“We are encouraged by the level of interest received and are working closely with a number of parties to secure a going concern sale.
“Our priority is to secure the best possible outcome for all stakeholders, including maintaining continuity of the business and safeguarding jobs where possible.”
The Voice contacted Opperman Plants Limited but had not received a response at the time of going to press.
