The company, based in Cushendall and Ballymena, had supplied potatoes across the UK and Ireland for decades before launching Glens of Antrim Crisps in 2015. The closure follows financial pressure caused by rising costs across the agri-food sector and cash flow difficulties that the company was unable to resolve.
Glens of Antrim Stops Trading After Administrators Are Appointed
Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd began operating in 1972 and developed into a supplier serving retailers across Ireland and the wider UK market. Its later move into branded crisps brought the Glens of Antrim name into major supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
According to the York Press, Stuart Irwin, Ian Leonard and Robin Coughlin of Interpath were appointed as joint administrators on 21 September. The company stopped trading immediately following their appointment.
Of the company’s 95 employees, almost all have now been made redundant. A small number of staff have been retained to assist with the administration process, while the administrators and their employment team are providing support to workers affected by the closure.
Stuart Irwin, managing director at Interpath, described the outcome as “tremendously sad” for the company, its staff and the wider Northern Irish agri-food sector. He also referred to the effect on the communities of Ballymena and Cushendall, where the business had operated.
According to the report, Glens of Antrim had faced significant cash flow pressures as costs increased across the agri-food supply chain. The directors had considered several possible ways to keep the business operating, including refinancing and securing new investment. Those efforts did not produce a viable solution, and the company subsequently entered administration.
Administrators Seek Buyers As Wider UK Businesses Face Closures
The administrators are now inviting expressions of interest in Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd and its assets. Potential buyers and other interested parties have been asked to make contact as soon as possible.
The collapse comes during a year in which a number of UK businesses have entered administration or liquidation. According to the York Press, retailers including Claire’s and Quiz have closed their remaining stores after entering administration, while Leading Labels has moved to shut its final 15 stores following liquidation.
Several other businesses have also reduced their physical presence. Whitbread has closed its standalone branded restaurants, including Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Bar + Block, Table Table and Cookhouse + Pub. Wynsors World of Shoes is shutting 17 stores, while online trainer resale platform Laced is due to close after 11 years following its move into administration.
The travel sector has also recorded a series of business failures during 2026. Companies including Regen Central Ltd, Gold Crest Holidays, Asiara UK Ltd, Fraser Travel Ltd and Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd have ceased trading, entered liquidation or administration.
Four UK airlines (Ascend Airways, EcoJet Airlines, Zenith Aviation Limited and European Cargo) have also entered liquidation or administration, according to the same report.
For Glens of Antrim, the immediate focus is now on the administration process and possible interest in the company’s remaining business and assets. Its closure brings an end to more than five decades of potato production and supply, and just over a decade of selling crisps under its own brand.
