Glens of Antrim Potatoes Collapses Into Administration as 95 Jobs Lost in Ballymena and Cushendall
Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd, one of Northern Ireland's most recognisable agri-food brands, ceased trading on Monday, September 21, after joint administrators from Interpath were appointed to the Ballymena and Cushendall-based business, with nearly all of its 95 employees made redundant immediately.
Background
Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd was established in 1972 and grew over more than five decades into a significant presence in Northern Ireland's agri-food sector. Operating from facilities in Ballymena and Cushendall in Co. Antrim, the company grew and packed potatoes for major supermarket chains across Ireland and was also known for producing the Glens of Antrim Crisps brand, which had developed a loyal following among consumers on both sides of the border. The business was a significant employer in the Glens of Antrim area, a rural coastal region where large-scale employment opportunities are limited.
The agri-food sector in Northern Ireland has faced mounting pressure in recent years from a combination of rising energy costs, increased labour costs following minimum wage increases, and the ongoing disruption to supply chains caused by the post-Brexit trading arrangements under the Windsor Framework. Potato growing and packing is a particularly energy-intensive and labour-intensive operation, and companies in the sector have struggled to pass on cost increases to major supermarket buyers, who have significant negotiating power over their suppliers.
The directors of Glens of Antrim Potatoes explored a range of alternatives to administration, including seeking investment and refinancing options, but were unable to identify a solvent solution to the company's cashflow difficulties. The decision to appoint administrators was described by those involved as a "tremendously sad outcome" for a business with such deep roots in the local community.
Key Developments
Joint administrators Stuart Irwin, Ian Leonard, and Robin Coughlin of Interpath were appointed on Monday, September 21. Upon their appointment, the company immediately ceased all trading activities. Nearly all 95 employees were made redundant, with only a small skeleton staff retained to assist the administrators in managing the process. The administrators and their specialist employment team have committed to providing support to affected staff, including assistance with redundancy claims and signposting to employment services.
Interpath has confirmed that it is seeking expressions of interest in the company and its assets, including the Ballymena and Cushendall facilities and the Glens of Antrim Crisps brand. Interested parties have been directed to contact the administration team. The administrators have indicated that they will move quickly to assess the viability of a sale of the business as a going concern, though the immediate cessation of trading makes that prospect more challenging.
The Irish News described the closure as a "tremendously sad outcome" for the workforce and the wider community, a sentiment echoed by local politicians and business representatives who have called for urgent support for the affected workers.
Why It Matters
The collapse of Glens of Antrim Potatoes is a significant blow to the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland, which employs tens of thousands of people and is one of the province's most important industries. The company's failure reflects broader structural pressures that are affecting food producers across the island of Ireland — rising input costs, energy price volatility, and the squeeze on margins imposed by major retailers. These pressures are not unique to Glens of Antrim, and the company's administration is likely to prompt renewed calls for government support for the agri-food sector.
The loss of 95 jobs in Ballymena and Cushendall is particularly significant given the geography of the affected areas. Ballymena is a substantial town with a diversified economy, but Cushendall is a small coastal village in the Glens of Antrim where alternative employment opportunities are scarce. For workers in Cushendall, the closure of the potato packing facility represents a serious challenge, and the local community will be looking to the Department for the Economy and the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a coordinated response.
Local Impact
The 95 workers affected by the administration are based across the Ballymena and Cushendall sites. The Department for Communities' Redundancy Payments Service has been notified and will process statutory redundancy claims for eligible employees. The Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has expressed its concern and has indicated it will work with the Department for the Economy to identify support measures for affected workers. The Ballymena office of the Department for Communities' Jobs and Benefits Service has been alerted to the situation and is expected to provide dedicated support sessions for former Glens of Antrim employees in the coming days.
What's Next
The joint administrators will continue to assess the company's assets and seek expressions of interest from potential buyers. A decision on whether the business can be sold as a going concern is expected within the next two to three weeks. If no buyer is found, the assets — including the Ballymena and Cushendall facilities and the Glens of Antrim Crisps brand — will be sold separately. The Department for the Economy has been asked to comment on what support will be available to the affected workforce and to the wider agri-food sector in light of the closure.
