Dublin: The popular Indian fast-food chain, Bombay Pantry, has announced its closure due to sustained challenges in Ireland’s hospitality market. The company shared the news on its website, thanking customers for their trust and support over the years.
The parent company, Nutweave Limited, has scheduled a creditors’ meeting for December 10, during which Dessie Morrow and Conor Noone of Azets Ireland are expected to be appointed as joint liquidators.
Examinership and Financial Struggles
Bombay Pantry entered examinership in 2022, with court protection extended until March 2023 to facilitate restructuring. Examiner Dessie Morrow successfully secured the cooperation of creditors and long-term investors, enabling temporary relief for the business.
As part of the restructuring process, the company abandoned three of its seven property leases and scaled back operations, closing two additional units before entering examinership. Despite these efforts, financial challenges persisted.
Closure of Central Production Unit
The closure of the company’s central production unit (CPU) in Kilcoole, Wicklow, marked a significant blow, resulting in the loss of 17 jobs. The CPU, which supplied prepackaged products to retailers under both Bombay Pantry’s brand and as private-label ready meals, was a costly operation. Annual rent for the Kilcoole facility was €64,000, reportedly the highest rent among the chain’s properties.
The company cited rising personnel and equipment costs associated with the CPU as key factors contributing to its financial difficulties.
The company’s closure marks the end of a brand that had become a notable presence in Ireland’s fast-food market, underscoring the ongoing pressures faced by the hospitality industry.
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