Bakery firm sale saves 160 jobs

A buyer has been found for a troubled bakery, securing 160 jobs in County Durham and on Tyneside.

Tindale and Stanton supplies a range of foods to retailers across the North East from its base at Burnopfield near Durham and a smaller site in Gateshead.

Administrators were brought in by bosses because of rising costs and difficult trading conditions.

Hobson Foods, headed by Tindale and Stanton's former managing director, has purchased the company's assets.

We are delighted to have been able to secure this deal Peter Frankland, from Hobson Foods

Ian Stokoe, joint administrator and director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, said: "We are delighted to announce this sale, particularly within the current environment, securing 160 jobs and providing certainty for customers and employees.

"The sale of the business to Hobson Foods provides the best opportunity to protect the interests of customers whilst safeguarding the future employment of the staff."

Hobson Foods will take over the operation of the main production facilities in Burnopfield, currently employing 115 people, together with the smaller bakery in Gateshead employing 45 staff.

The new company will continue to trade under the Tindale & Stanton brand name.

Peter Frankland, director of Hobson Foods said: "We are delighted to have been able to secure this deal.

"We welcome this opportunity to preserve the skills of the highly-motivated team based in Burnopfield and Gateshead and look forward to a successful future."