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2 Sisters Food Group to sell its Christmas pudding-maker

THE 2 Sister's Food Group (2SFG), run by multi-millionaire businessman Ranjit Singh Boparan is reportedly seeking a buyer for its Christmas pudding-making facility.

The business is apparently auctioning Matthew Walker, a pudding manufacturer which supplies retailers such as Aldi and Asda, as it struggles to contend with a series of debts.


According to reports, advisory firm Stamford Partners has been appointed by 2SFG to handle the sale process, which is expected to reach £80 million.

The 2SFG website states the business directly employs about 120 people. The group has struggled in recent times as it decreased its operations in the wake of a food standards scandal in 2017.

An investigative report by ITV and The Guardian uncovered a number of breaches in food hygiene standards at the company's West Bromwich poultry processing site, leading to the suspension of production at the facility for five weeks.

The company sold pizza brand Goodfella's for around £200m and its red meat operations to an Irish manufacturer for an undisclosed sum last year.

In December 2018, the group also sold off a child sandwiches, wraps, and rolls unit to Samworth Brothers.

2SFG, which was founded in 1993, supplies poultry products to some of the country's major supermarket chains, including Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, and WI.

Boparan, known as the 'the chicken king' stepped down as CEO of 2SFG, after 25 years.

This year's Eastern Eye Asian Rich List-published by the Asian Media Group valued Boparan at £585m.

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  • Coaching Inn Group scores 81 per cent customer satisfaction, beating Marriott and Hilton.
  • Wetherspoon Hotels named best value at £70 per night.
  • Britannia Hotels ranks bottom for 12th consecutive year with 44 per cent score.
A traditional pub hotel group has outperformed luxury international chains in the UK's largest guest satisfaction survey, while one major operator continues its decade-long streak at the bottom of the rankings.
The Coaching Inn Group, comprising 36 relaxed inn-style hotels in historic buildings across beauty spots and market towns, achieved the highest customer score of 81per cent among large chains in Which?'s annual hotel survey. The group earned five stars for customer service and accuracy of descriptions, with guests praising its "lovely locations and excellent food and service.
"The survey, conducted amongst 4,631 guests, asked respondents to rate their stays across eight categories including cleanliness, customer service, breakfast quality, bed comfort and value for money. At an average £128 per night, Coaching Inn demonstrated that mid-range pricing with consistent quality appeals to British travellers.
J D Wetherspoon Hotels claimed both the Which? Recommended Provider status (WRPs) and Great Value badge for the first time, offering rooms at just £70 per night while maintaining four-star ratings across most categories. Guests described their stays as "clean, comfortable and good value.
"Among boutique chains, Hotel Indigo scored 79 per cent with its neighbourhood-inspired design, while InterContinental achieved 80per cent despite charging over £300 per night, and the chain missed WRP status for this reason.

Budget brands decline

However, Premier Inn, long considered Britain's reliable budget choice, lost its recommended status this year. Despite maintaining comfortable beds, guests reported "standards were slipping" and prices "no longer budget levels" at an average £94 per night.

The survey's biggest disappointment remains Britannia Hotels, scoring just 44 per cent and one star for bedroom and bathroom quality. This marks twelve consecutive years at the bottom, with guests at properties like Folkestone's Grand Burstin calling it a total dive.

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