Shropshire Star

Telford International Centre boss laments retail show operator's collapse

The boss of Telford's International Centre has expressed his disappointment at the loss of a major retail event in the town after its operators plunged into administration.

Published
Exhibitors at a past Pro-Retail event

The annual Pro-Retail event has been held at the venue for more than two decades, and brought thousands of businesspeople to Telford.

Now operator Palmer & Harvey has plunged into administration with various divisions closing instantly and 2,500 staff being laid off.

Tom Gray from The International Centre's owner, Southwater Event Group, said the event was not planned for 2018.

"The trade exhibition Pro-retail had not been confirmed for 2018 and we had understood, as has been previously reported in the business/food retail media, that Palmer & Harvey had been working through some trading difficulties in the past few months," he said.

"Naturally it is difficult to hear that Palmer & Harvey has not been able to resolve these issues, nor find a business buyer and our thoughts are with those who have lost their jobs.

"As a venue, we are sad and disappointed to lose a client of some 25 years standing and with whom we had a close working relationship, but we are confident we can find alternative events to fill the diary vacancy created."

The event allowed major exhibitors to demonstrate their latest goods to shop owners.

Celebrities including ex-racing driver Allan McNish and former England footballer Stuart Pearce have been on the stands at events in recent years.

PwC was appointed as administrators for stricken wholesaler Palmer & Harvey, and has laid off thousands of staff and outlined plans to wind up parts of the business.

Joint administrator Matthew Callaghan said: "The Palmer & Harvey name has been a trusted partner for retailers and suppliers for nearly 100 years.

"This is a devastating blow for everyone who has been involved in the business."

He added: "The P&H Group has faced a challenging trading environment, and the need for significant restructuring has been recognised for some while.

"The company has insufficient cash resources to continue to trade beyond the short term and the directors have concluded that there is no longer any reasonable prospect of a sale. Therefore, the directors have had no choice but appoint administrators."

P&H entered takeover talks with the Carlyle Group in October, but the US private equity fund's offer of a significant capital investment in exchange for a controlling stake did not progress.

The UK's biggest supplier of cigarettes, it employed about 3,400 people and provides alcohol, groceries and frozen food to 90,000 retail accounts, including Tesco.

PwC said 900 staff remain at risk. Subsidiaries including P&H Direct Van Sales Limited, P&H Sweetdirect Limited and P&H Snacksdirect Limited are up for sale.