Job losses as SJ Bellows Nurseries enters administration
Eighteen employees are to lose their jobs after a Hampshire-based food wholesaler went into administration.
SJ Bellows Nurseries Ltd has been supplying produce to catering businesses for more than 100 years.
Joint administrators Quantuma LLP said the company had experienced problems trying to rapidly increase turnover.
The business expanded into new warehouse premises in Southampton city centre in 2010 for its Bellows Direct delivery service.
The family-run company supplies fruit, vegetables and dairy produce to food businesses in Poole, Newbury, Guildford and Arundel.
Simon Campbell, Director at Quantuma LLP said: "We have made every effort to protect the business and preserve value for the creditors of the company.
"However, we were unable to hold the customer base together to effect a sale of the business."