Inverawe Smokehouses, a family-owned smoked salmon producer based in Taynuilt, Scotland, is at risk of closure as financial struggles mount.
Employees have claimed they are owed approximately £60,000 in unpaid wages, according to a report by The Press and Journal.
A petition to wind up Lorne Fisheries Limited, the company operating Inverawe Smokehouses, was filed by creditor Menzies Parcels Limited at Oban Sheriff Court on November 6.
The firm is reportedly planning to defend the action, which, if unsuccessful, could result in a winding-up order. This would force the company to cease trading, with a liquidator appointed to sell its assets and pay creditors.
Twelve employees have alleged unpaid salaries dating back to August, alongside missed pension and National Insurance contributions. Some workers reported receiving notices from the government-backed pension provider Nest, which has referred Inverawe to The Pensions Regulator for late payments.
Former warehouse operator Calum Galbraith, made redundant in August, stated he has yet to receive redundancy pay or holiday wages promised by the company. Other employees have expressed frustration and stress over the situation, with one describing the workforce as having “164 years of service in dispute with the company.”
Owner Patrick Campbell-Preston acknowledged the company’s financial difficulties in an interview with The Press and Journal. He confirmed the £60,000 owed to staff and stated he is working to resolve pension and National Insurance shortfalls. Campbell-Preston has sought assistance from external agencies to address the crisis.
Inverawe Smokehouses, which holds a Royal Warrant for mail-order smoked foods and hampers, was founded in 1974 by Robert and Rosie Campbell-Preston. The business, now run by their son Patrick, employs around 18 staff.
If the company’s defence against the winding-up petition fails, all employees may lose their jobs, and a liquidator would oversee the sale of assets to settle debts.
