Business

Patisserie Valerie finance chief arrested as company teeters on brink of collapse

High-end bakery chain Patisserie Valerie has three stores in Belfast
High-end bakery chain Patisserie Valerie has three stores in Belfast High-end bakery chain Patisserie Valerie has three stores in Belfast

THE suspended finance chief of Patisserie Valerie has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

It comes just days after the cafe chain said it had discovered a major black hole in its accounts.

The company's parent firm, Patisserie Holdings, said in a stock market announcement on Friday that Chris Marsh, who was suspended from his role earlier this week, has since been released.

Hertfordshire Police said: "A 44-year-old man from St Albans has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

"He has been released under investigation."

The probe is being led by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Two Patisserie Valerie branches in London were closed on Friday, while the chain's parent company teetered on the brink of collapse.

Landlords forfeited the leases on locations in Hammersmith and Edgware Road, citing a breach of contract.

It comes after Patisserie Holdings, which also owns other brands including Philpotts, Baker & Spice and Flour Power City, warned that it would not be able to continue trading without an immediate injection of capital.

The company said on Wednesday that it has been notified of "significant, and potentially fraudulent, accounting irregularities and therefore a potential material mis-statement of the company's accounts".

This significantly affected the company's cash position, with the firm saying it could lead to a "material change" in its overall financial position.

Mr Marsh was later suspended from his role and accountancy giant PwC drafted in to look through the company's books.

To compound its troubles, Patisserie Holdings has also received a winding-up petition for its principal trading unit Stonebeach, with a hearing now scheduled for October 31.

It relates to £1.14 million owed to HMRC.

The cake chain has now warned that it will cease trading without an "immediate" cash injection.

Chairman Luke Johnson is said to be considering stepping in with funds that could help save the business.

Mr Johnson, a serial entrepreneur, is the largest shareholder in Patisserie Holdings with a 37 per cent stake.

If a buyer for the group does emerge, any purchase is likely be conducted via a pre-pack administration process, where a new owner is able to shed onerous liabilities.

PwC, which is working with the firm on its financial position, is the most likely to carry out the insolvency, but several other corporate undertakers are also thought to be waiting in the wings.

Patisserie Holdings - which owns additional brands like Druckers, Philpotts, Baker & Spice - trades from more than 200 stores, including three in the north and also has a partnership with Sainsbury's, with branded counters present in the supermarket.