Jobs saved as former boss buys Acorn Pet Centres

Published on Wednesday 11 November 2009 20:53

ACORN Pet Centres, the animal food retailer that slipped into administration in September, was yesterday bought by its former managing director, securing 153 jobs at 24 stores throughout Scotland.

Owner Douglas Mutter told The Scotsman that the company would now go through a period of consolidation but said he expected to expand Acorn again after about three years.

He admitted the company had grown too rapidly in 2005, taking on large out-of-town retail sites away from its traditional high street locations.

Mutter said opening 12 stores in 18 months had taken its toll on the company's cash reserves but that any future expansion would be "tactical", concentrating on high streets and smaller shopping centres.

Tenon Recovery, the accountancy firm appointed as administrators, said it had received 40 inquiries regarding the business and "a number of strong bids". Financial details of the sale were not disclosed.

Mutter's parents – Jacqueline and Alan – founded the business 25 years ago in Dunfermline, in Fife. He led a management buy-out last year, with turnover growing by 17 per cent to 10.5 million.

Before the firm fell into administration, Acorn had 35 stores throughout Scotland and employed 243 staff.

Eleven "under-performing" stores – mostly out of town sites – were immediately closed, with the loss of 90 posts.