Bubble pops for north-east drinks company

A north-east drinks company owed more than £7.4 million when it went into administration.


Macduff-based soft drink specialist Sangs was put into administration last year, owing hundreds of thousands of pounds to organisiations including Aberdeen City Council.

Accountant Zolfo Cooper's update said the firm's debt to Allied Irish Bank on January 16 was £6.5million, excluding interest and charges.

Documents released by the Companies House yesterday also showed that the business failed several times in order to stay within its banking terms and conditions.

Earlier this year former Sangs boss Kenny Webster launched a scathing attack on the bank that put it into administration and First Minister Alex Salmond said that "serious questions" need to be answered.

Nearly £1million is claimed by creditors including Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen International Youth Festival and Aberdeenshire Council.

Debts are also owed to Irn-Bru maker AG Barr, Banff Springs Hotel, chocolate firm Cadbury, Coca-Cola and football clubs Hibernian and Patrick Thistle.

Nearly half of the £972,041 claimed by these ordinary creditors - £473,825 - is owed to Northern Irish bottle-maker Beverage Plastics.

Allister Thomas