Timothy Andrew Higgins, Edward Williams and Helen Wheeler-Jones of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) were appointed joint administrators of Kanes Foods on 9th November 2026.
Kanes Foods Limited is a short-shelf-life food manufacturer producing pre-packaged salads, stir-fry products and sauces from a refrigerated manufacturing site in Evesham, Worcestershire. The company supplies a number of major UK supermarkets and employs approximately 670 people.
According to PwC, the company experienced “financial difficulties” in the period leading up to the administration, and in June 2025, the failure of its wastewater treatment plant resulted in significant one-off costs and increased ongoing operating costs. This was followed by drought-related supply chain disruption during summer 2026, which was reported to have further impacted trading.
The directors explored refinancing and new funding options, and an accelerated sale process was subsequently undertaken. However, the Kanes Foods’ ongoing losses, negative cash flows and funding requirements meant that a solvent solution could not be achieved.
Nigel Huddleston, Conservative MP for Droitwich and Evesham, commented: “The closure of Kanes Foods is devastating news for the Vale of Evesham and, most importantly, for the hundreds of people and families who have lost their jobs.
“I was contacted by PwC this morning, who have been appointed as administrators, and they confirmed that the company has entered administration with the loss of 662 jobs.
“Kanes Foods were one of the largest employers in my constituency and a major part of the local economy for many years. I have visited the business on a number of occasions and know just how many local families have relied on it for their livelihoods. My thoughts are very much with all those employees who have been affected, and with their families, at what will be an incredibly difficult and worrying time.”
“I am also conscious that the collapse of such a significant local employer could have a knock-on impact on other businesses in the supply chain.”
Huddleston continued: “I am liaising with the administrators and the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that employees who have lost their jobs receive the appropriate support and advice. Understandably, many will have questions about redundancy payments and will want help finding alternative employment as quickly as possible.
“It is not yet clear whether any parts of the business may be sold, and I am also conscious that the collapse of such a significant local employer could have a knock-on impact on other businesses in the supply chain.
“I will continue liaising with all relevant stakeholders, and my team and I will provide whatever practical support we can to constituents affected by this devastating news.”
