Waverley TBS
Waverley TBS
(Image credit: Waverley TBS)

Administrators of the collapsed UK drinks wholesaler Waverley TBS have been forced to cut nearly 90% of its staff after failing to find a buyer.

Joint administrator Daniel Butters, of Deloitte, announced that 685 Waverley TBS employees have been made redundant. A skeleton staff of 97 will continue to work at the distributor.

‘Whilst we will continue to consider offers for the sale of the business as a going concern, we will now focus on realising value from the company’s assets,’ he said.

Waverely TBS’ collapse came as a surprise to many in the wine, beer and spirits industry. The financial failure of one of the UK’s largest distributors, meanwhile, reflects a tough environment for the UK bar and pub sector in general.

A full account of Waverley’s debt and creditors has yet to be released.

Written by Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.