A Fife business group chief has expressed sadness at the news that Rosyth firm Acorn Pets has gone into administration, with the loss of 16 sites and 122 full and part-time jobs.
The pet supply chain will retain shops in Dunfermline (Duloch Park) and Cowdenbeath, but will immediately close other premises in Arbroath, Montrose, St Andrews, Leven, Glenrothes, Dalgety Bay, Aberdeen, East Kilbride, Fraserburgh, Haddington, Inverurie, Lanark, Linlithgow, Musselburgh, Portobello and Saltcoats.
It is the second time in two years that the firm has gone into administration, with the family-run firm in the hands of joint administrators David Menzies and Pamela Coyne of Begbies Traynor, following a sustained period of “poor trading.”
The administrators have confirmed the head office at Rosyth will remain, albeit “on a reduced staff” basis. They added that no decision has been made on its long-term future.
Janet Torley, chairwoman of the Fife branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said the announcement was “sad” and called for more help for small “specialised” businesses.
“This is a real blow to the small business economy again,” she said. “Personally, it is also a blow to pet owners like myself.
“This is another small business that has bitten the dust. It is very sad it has gone into administration as Acorn Pets have played a part in the local small business scene and have provided customers with a very good service.”
She continued, “This represents the sad demise of specialist shops who are victims of the supermarket mentality.”
Acorn Pets closed 11 stores in 2009, including those in Dundee, Perth, Kirkcaldy and Alloa, with the loss of 73 jobs.