Gateshead pub drinks supplier enters administration

More than 200 North East jobs could be at risk after one of the UKs biggest drinks distributors entered administration.

Wine, spirits and beer wholesaler WaverleyTBS, which employs 208 workers at its depot on Nest Road in Felling, Gateshead and supplies pubs across the region, has called in experts from Deloitte, who hope to sell the Chesterfield-based company as a going concern.

Staff from the company, which counts Greene King IPA, Bass and Timothy Taylor Landlord among it’s range of both alcoholic and soft drinks, told The Journal newspaper they were not allowed to speak out, though one angry worker branded the situation “disgusting.”

Deloitte partners Daniel Butters and William Dawson have been appointed joint administrators for the firm, which saw pre-tax profits grow 5.5% to £4.2m in the year to June 2011.

“The company has a committed workforce and a strong customer network across the UK, supplying to a large proportion of both national and free trade beverage retailers across the country,” said Mr Butters, leader of the restructuring services practice at Deloitte in the North East.

“WaverleyTBS is a prominent business within its industry and we are in negotiations with a number of interested parties who are keen to acquire the company.”