A long-established Scottish pork and bacon producer has entered liquidation after more than a century in operation. The closure marks the end of a family-run business that had recently received national recognition. The development comes at a time of broader financial pressure across the UK agricultural sector, where farms and suppliers are facing rising costs and policy-related uncertainty.
A Century-Old Family Business Brought to a Halt
Puddledub Pork and Fifeshire Bacon Company Limited, based in West Fife, Scotland, formally appointed liquidators on April 15, 2026. According to reports, the move followed a winding-up petition filed on January 30, 2026.
The company, widely known as Puddledub, had been operating since 1905. It was run by the Mitchell family, who have farmed at Clentrie Farm since the early 20th century. Their family’s agricultural presence in the Fife area stretches back more than 300 years, according to the same reports.
Joint liquidators Callum Angus Carmichael and Michelle Elliot of FRP Advisory Trading Limited have been appointed to oversee the process. The company’s closure also includes the permanent shutdown of its family shop. Puddledub built its reputation on traditional butchery practices, producing dry-cured bacon and hand-linked sausages. Its products were distributed through farm shops and delicatessens across the UK, with a focus on wholesale supply.
Despite its long history, the business had continued to gain recognition in recent years. According to the available information, it was named Best Small Butchery Business in Scotland at the Butchery Business Awards in 2025. In the same year, it also received a Farm Shop and Deli Retailers Award.
Mounting Pressures Across the UK Farming Sector
The company’s collapse comes during a period of growing concern within British agriculture. Financial challenges have been affecting farms and food producers, with several structural pressures cited in recent coverage. According to Farmers Online, more than a third of UK farms could face closure within the next five years due to changes to inheritance tax policies. This projection has raised concerns about long-term sustainability, particularly for family-run operations similar to Puddledub.
Energy costs have also emerged as a significant issue. Reports indicate that ongoing geopolitical tensions have contributed to rising prices, which in turn are affecting production costs and livestock management. Farmers have expressed concern that these increases could reduce stock levels and strain already tight margins.
The liquidation of Puddledub reflects these wider conditions, though no single cause has been publicly detailed in the available reporting. The timing, however, aligns with a series of closures and financial difficulties reported across the sector. The loss of a business with over a century of history highlights the vulnerability of traditional agricultural enterprises. It also underscores the challenges faced by producers that rely on established methods and regional supply networks in an evolving economic landscape.
Whilethe liquidation process moves forward, the case adds to a broader pattern of strain within UK farming, where long-standing operations are increasingly exposed to external pressures beyond their control.
