Jobs go as Cuppa Vending goes into liquidation

A vending machine firm in Stourbridge has gone into liquidation, with the loss of 50 jobs. Cuppa Vending Ltd, is based in Hayes Trading Estate, Folkes Road, Lye.

It was formally placed in creditors voluntary liquidation yesterday.

Bewdley-based insolvency firm Rimes & Co met creditors and shareholders prior to the announcement.

Cuppa Vending has more than 1,000 drinks and confectionary vending machines in the West Midlands, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

The company's entire payroll of more than 50 staff will lose their jobs when it is wound up, administrators say. Cuppa Vending's problems emerged earlier this month.

Nick Rimes, of Rimes & Co, said spiralling debts were to blame for the firm's downfall. No interested parties are thought to have come forward to save the company since the Express & Star revealed it was facing closure.

Cuppa Vending avoided going under in 2007 when a buyer was secured at the last minute.

Administrators PriceWaterhouseCoopers had been appointed to sell the business in late 2006.

At the time bosses blamed the "Jamie Oliver effect" which they claimed had led to people shunning caffeine and traditional snacks in favour of healthier options.