NEARLY 1,000 jobs are at risk following the appointment of administrators at DBC Foodservice, a national supplier to the catering sector which includes branches in Suffolk and Essex.

DBC, which is based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, and has 11 depots around the country at locations including Newmarket and Chelmsford, supplies a range of leading food and drink brands to customers including hotels, restaurants, local authorities and healthcare providers.

The company had been working with corporate recovery specialists from accountancy firm Baker Tilly to find a buyer for its business but Russell Cash, Ben Woolrych and Mark Wilson from Baker Tilly Restructuring and Recovery LLP have now been appointed as joint administrators.

Baker Tilly said in a statement today: “Prior to the appointment of the administrators Baker Tilly had been working closely with the management team with efforts focused on seeking to find a buyer for the business as a whole.

“Whilst this could not be achieved, discussions are currently ongoing with a number of parties who have expressed an interest in certain parts of the business; it is expected that there will be further developments within the next few days.”

Leading brands supplied by DBC are understood to include Premier Foods, Britivic, Cadbury, Walls and Heinz. It also supplies some products under its own DBC label.

The group employs a total of 982 people across its 12 sites, with representatives of the administrators having visited each location to explain the situation to staff and asses future strategy.

Baker Tilly partner and joint administrator Russell Cash: “DBC is a very well established business which has enjoyed a great reputation over a prolonged period.

“It is obviously very disappointing to see the company enter into administration. We are in discussions with a number of interested parties, some of which are at an advanced stage. We are hopeful that we will be able to secure a future for certain areas of the business”