The work wear unit of Brooks Service Group, the national supplier of linen and work wear services to the hotel, hospitality and food industries, was sold yesterday to Sunlight service group, safeguarding around 200 jobs. The administrators will now continue to trade the linen business as a going concern while seeking a buyer.

Derek Howell, Colin Haig and Rob Lewis of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed on Tuesday 13th February as administrators of Brooks Service Group Plc and it’s subsidiaries, including Sunderland based County Luxdon and Shaws Laundries at Gravesend.

Founded in 1819 with a focus on servicing the thriving Bristol docks, Brooks now operates from nine sites throughout the UK and employs around 1,300 staff. The company entered administration following a reported decrease in the value of its workstream. There are still fears for some 190 jobs but there are no redundancies at this stage.Joint administrator and partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Derek Howell said “The administrators and the management team are working together to ensure continuity of service to all of Brookes’ customers and, where appropriate, the smooth transfer of service to alternative suppliers. 

“We are seeking to secure employment for as many of the remaining employees as possible through a sale of the business.”