Business

Vegan mince company Meatless Farm collapses due to ‘lack of demand’

It comes amidst a slump in the overall demand for meat-free products.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 14th June 2023

Northern vegan food company Meatless Farm has entered administration and made its staff redundant, citing a lack of demand for meat-free products.

The Leeds-based company, first established in 2016 by Danish entrepreneur Morten Toft Bech, has become a fixture in major supermarkets over the years – establishing itself in the US, China, and several European countries, and at its peak selling over £11m worth of its plant-based ‘meat’ alternatives.

It had become well known for its meat alternatives with mince, chicken breasts, sausage and burgers once a popular choice, but now after a ‘difficult period’ the company has ceased trading, reports The Hoot.

Image: Meatless Farm
Image: Meatless Farm

On Friday 9 June 2023, Meatless Farm’s 50-strong workforce were made redundant and yesterday 13 June, the company entered administration.

Commercial director Tim Offer announced on his LinkedIn profile: “Sadly, my time at Meatless Farm has come to an end… the business has unfortunately made all the teams redundant.

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“I learnt a huge amount in a short space of time and have absolutely loved the people and the brand.”

Image: Meatless Farm
Image: Meatless Farm

Interim finance executive John Loughrey added: “Sadly things have not worked out for Meatless Farm so I am now looking for my next assignment, as will numerous other colleagues.

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“I have had a great time in a fantastic company, and have had the honour and pleasure of working with some amazing people. It is a shame the company has not made it through this difficult period and I wish all my former colleagues the best of luck for the future.”

Last month the company hired restructuring specialists Kroll in hopes of finding a buyer for the business.

Read more: This northern seaside town is home to a Benidorm-themed cabaret bar

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Kroll announced yesterday that Geoff Bouchier and Benjamin Wiles have been appointed joint administrators to oversee the financial management of the business.

It comes amidst a slump in the overall demand for meat-free products.

Sausage producer Heck, also based in Yorkshire, recently reduced its vegan range citing a similar lack of customer demand for meat-free products.

Read more: Trailblazing Manchester coffee shop that ‘started a movement’ to close after 13 years

While some parts of the vegan food industry continue to perform well, such as plant-based milks, cheese and yoghurt, analysis suggests that demand for plant-based ‘meats’ has slowed down.

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Daryll Umali, Managing Director at vegan food company Moving Mountains, said: “With one less brand advocating the environmental agenda, the news of Meatless Farms administration is a sad loss for the plantbased movement, and our thoughts are with all those who lost their jobs.

“However, we can confidently say this loss is not a reflection of the plantbased industry’s trajectory – the chopping and changing is part of the maturing process that comes with an evolving new industry.

“This is an exciting and fast-paced race to develop new and delicious products with advanced technologies and genuine IP. Some brands may unfortunately fall short through unsustainable business models, channeling disproportionate funds to brand building, and without a quality product to match the result is unprofitability – this is something our organically grown business isn’t subject to.

“In 2022, YouGov reported one in four consumers are reducing their meat intake. You only have to ask a group of millennials their coffee order (the answers an oat flat white) to hear the demand. And, the buoyancy and growth of Moving Mountains is testament to that unrelenting demand for plantbased options”

Featured image – Meatless Farm

Business

Campaigners set up petition to pedestrianise Tib Street in the Northern Quarter

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pedestrianise Tib Street petition Northern Quarter

Local campaigners in Manchester have set up a new petition to hopefully pedestrianise what they have deemed the ‘untapped’ Tib Street in the Northern Quarter.

And not only do they arguably have a strong point, but the proposal might have legs, too.

Even if the name Tib St doesn’t quite ring a bell, if you live centrally or have been to the city centre enough times, the chances are you’ll likely have walked down it at least once or twice.

More importantly, you could be walking, drinking, eating and plenty more there soon, if the people behind this petition pull off the plans they’re hoping to put in place with the help of Manchester City Council.

Staging a small, simple but considered and definitive demonstration on Friday, 24 October, a group of Manc businesses, residents and volunteers gathered to hold out the banner seen above, calling for exactly what it says: for local authorities to pedestrianise Tib Street.

They believe it has more potential. (Credit: The Manc Group)

Having seen the success of nearby Thomas Street and Edge St, which have become two of the busiest parts of what is already one of Manchester’s most vibrant districts and cultural hubs, they essentially want a piece of the action – and you can’t exactly blame them.

While at least part of the road is well utilised with the likes of Northern Soul, Evelyn’s, MyThai, and other independents sit pretty tucked away up into the slightly raised buildings above street level, with that recognisable bridge hanging above, the thoroughfare as a whole still remains a bit of a bottleneck.

It’s arguably even more so further down the street as you head more towards Ancoats, too, with the backstreet sitting behind the likes of Tib Street Tavern, Matt and Phreds, and The Butcher’s Quarter still mainly reserved for little more than deliveries and people trying to secure a shortcut.

Nearby native Fiona Moinuddin, who has rallied to try and get the Council on side in the past, says: “Pedestrianisation has already transformed other parts of NQ, and Tib Street should be next.

“This is about making our streets safer, supporting local businesses, and giving people space to enjoy our city centre. I’m calling on the Council to listen to residents and act.”

In fact, there have already been calls to roll back the road to a bygone era and bring back one particular treasured piece of its heritage.

Northern Quarter’s iconic ‘Big Horn’ could be coming back to Tib Street
Before it was known for lorries, diversions and traffic, it was home to a rather famous bit of artwork.

Chatting with the Tavern’s co-owners on the day, Rory O’Keefe and Jon Dootson, they told The Manc that “it’d be so much better for the street to be closed.”

“We’ve obviously got Dorsey Street, which could be opened up and turned into a terrace of a sort of community garden, and just tidy this area up and make it look a lot nicer for the city – it’ll be great for businesses as well.”

“I think there are too many cars coming down here. Obviously, everything’s mainly featured on Stevenson Square, and we feel a little bit left out around the corner.”

They also noted that although it’s been great to see how their Thomas and Edge St neighbours are thriving, not to mention they’ve been around for over two decades themselves, they have sadly lost a lot of business due to the disparity – especially when the sun comes out.

We also spoke to Matt and Phreds‘ boss, Claire Turner, who said: “Tib would be really good for pedestrianisation, so we can have some outdoor furniture, maybe even bring some live music into the street in the summer; it would just kind of tie everything together with the rest of the Northern Quarter.

“I understand it’s not going to be for everybody, but I’m hoping the council will logistically sort everything out so that there’s still plenty of access for deliveries etc., but I just think it’s a positive thing for all of us.”

If you’d like to get behind the movement, you can sign the petition to pedestrianise Tib Street HERE.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Business

Tesco announces MASSIVE recruitment drive for 28,000 extra Christmas staff

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Outside a Tesco store

Tesco has launched a massive festive recruitment drive, with more than 28,000 temporary roles up for grabs.

With the festive season fast approaching, and most British supermarkets having already unveiled their Christmas food and drink ranges for 2025, Tesco is gearing up for what is always one of the busiest times for the year for the retail industry by launching a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drive.

The jobs will mainly involve working in Tesco’s Superstores and Extra stores.

Shifts will either be early morning, day, or evening shifts, so that prospective applicants can find an opportunity that fits around them. 

With a wide range of roles available, the tens of thousands of temporary staff across the UK – including here in Greater Manchester – will be tasked with serving customers, restocking shelves, and fulfilling online orders by picking, packing, and delivering.

“With the busy Christmas period ahead, we are looking for people who can bring warmth, enthusiasm, and a helpful service to every shopping trip,” commented Ela Golab, who is Tesco’s Group People Services Director.

Pay starts from £12.64 per hour, and a night premium of an additional £2.35 per hour – with plenty of different flexible shifts available.

“From turkey and mince pies to decorations and crackers, it’s a big job keeping our shelves stocked up for the nation’s celebrations,” Tesco said in a statement on its recruitment website. “That’s why we need you – you’ll help keep our shelves filled and our customers jolly.”

Tesco says ‘no day is ever the same’ and festive colleagues will be able to ‘feel the impact’ they make on every shift, as they send customers home with a smile.

Read more:

No experience is ‘necessary’ for these temporary roles, Tesco says – just the ‘right attitude’.

Fancy it then? If you’re keen to join Tesco’s teams across the UK this Christmas, then head on over to the supermarket’s recruitment website here to apply, or you can pop into your nearby store for more information.

Featured Image – Tesco plc

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