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31
Mar 2023
90 jobs at stake as struggling Ripon firm Farmison seeks buyer
Struggling Ripon premium meat online retailer Farmison & Co is in negotiations with a potential buyer.
The firm, which employs 92 staff, is in advanced discussions with another online butcher, Tom Hixson of Smithfield.
A company called Tom Hixson Farmison was registered with Companies House this week. Thomas Hixson is listed as the sole director.
It is hoped the deal will be finalised next week and save jobs at one of Ripon's biggest employers.
Farmison is based on Bondgate Green in Ripon
Last year Farmison founder John Pallagi sold the firm, whose customers include Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, to Scottish private investors Inverleith LLP.
Mr Pallagi remained as chief executive and a new three-year business plan was agreed.
But Mr Pallagi told the Stray Ferret today the plan had "faltered" and he hoped the situation would be resolved soon.
He has approached Ripon and Skipton Conservative MP Julian Smith and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for help after the company encountered "choppy waters" caused by issues such as war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and Brexit.
Mr Pallagi added:
Mr Pallagi said he was "not overly chuffed" at seeing the company he had built up face difficulties.
But he added he believed the Farmison model was the right one and the firm could have a strong future.
Read more:
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Mr Pallagi co-founded Farmison to work with local farmers and encourage people to ‘eat better meat’.
Despite sales doubling to £12m in 2021, the company then made a loss of £2.6m and faces an uncertain future if a deal is not reached.
The Stray Ferret has approached Tom Hixson of Smithfield for comment.
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