MP calls on Government to save Heart of England Fine Foods
Shrewsbury & Atcham MP, Daniel Kawczynski is calling on the Government to save Heart of England Fine Foods which last week entered into voluntary liquidation.
The MP has written to the Secretary of State Vince Cable and asked the government to provide more financial support.
HEFF said that its board of directors had no other choice but to enter into voluntary liquidation after a number of factors affected trading.
The termination (at three years) of a six year contract HEFF had with Shropshire Council for the management of the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre; was one of the reasons the company gave for entering voluntary liquidation.
Heart of England Fine Foods acts on behalf of food producers, promoting the regional market and facilitating trade opportunities in the West Midlands.
Since 1998 the organisation has created and protected over 2,000 jobs, supported at least 2,800 food and drink manufacturers and has generated around £90million gross value-added.
Mr Kawczynski said: "We should be doing everything we can to ensure its survival, safeguarding the health of many small and medium enterprises and perhaps hundreds of jobs.
“HEFF plays a vital and very tangible role in educating, preparing and supporting small companies seeking to export. They also act as a consolidator for products both in the domestic market and more importantly in international markets where alone the companies would never stand a chance of doing it on their own.”
It is hoped a response to the letter would be received before the HEFF shareholders meeting on 9 July in Kidderminster. A meeting for creditors will follow the shareholders meeting with the purpose of confirming the appointment of a Liquidator.
