Bleikers Smokehouse: Administrators seek legal advice as investigation into collapsed North Yorkshire firm continues

In the latest Administrator’s Progress Report, advisory firm FRP said it had sought legal advice after identifying “certain matters” during analysis of the company’s accounts.

Bleikers Smokehouse is also under investigation from the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), after allegations relating to the origins of its fish products.

FRP’S report states: "During this reporting period, we have continued to utilise specialist 'Relativity' software to aid our interrogation of the Company's records. We have also continued to investigate certain matters brought to our attention by creditors.

“We have carried out an analysis of the Company's bank statement activity and reviewed the accounting information available. We have sought feedback from our solicitors with regards to certain matters identified during the investigation.

“We will continue to seek legal advice as required and progress outstanding lines of enquiry."

The NFCU confirmed that one arrest had been made in relation to its investigation into the origins of Bleiker’s products.

Andrew Quinn, deputy head of NFCU at the Food Standards Agency said: “The FSA’s National Food Crime Unit is investigating alleged food fraud and how a smokehouse supplied a large supermarket retailer with smoked salmon labelled as fresh and Scottish when it was allegedly sourced frozen from Norway.

“We regularly engage with industry to share intelligence, tackling food fraud to protect the consumer. The NFCU acted on intelligence it received which resulted in one arrest being made and three further suspects were interviewed voluntarily under caution.

“It is vitally important that we ensure food is safe and what it says it is, and that consumers and food businesses are confident in the authenticity of food they are buying.”

Government rules state that meat, fish or seafood products must be labelled with the country or place of origin if they are to be sold to the consumer market. Packaging must also specify if a seafood product was previously frozen.

FRP’s latest report also notes that creditors owed money due to the collapse of Bleikers Smokehouse are unlikely to receive funds.

These creditors include former employees with unpaid arrears.

FRP’s report states: “Preferential Creditor claims totalling £106,323, have been received being the employees’ preferential element for arrears of pay, unpaid pension contributions and holiday pay as calculated in accordance with legislation. It is anticipated that preferential creditors will not receive any distribution.”

The report also notes that the initial administration period for the firm has been extended by 12 months.

After it fell into administration, Bleikers Smokehouse was bought out by The Salmo Group for an undisclosed sum.

The Salmo Group oversees a number of seafood businesses, including New York Smokehouse and Seriously Fish.

The firm has no links with the former business and is not involved with the investigation.