Liquidator appointed to Scottish bakery Morton's Rolls

Morton's flagship product is its traditional crispy roll

A provisional liquidator has been appointed following the collapse of bakers Morton's Rolls.

Business Minister Ivan McKee said Scottish Enterprise would liaise with the unnamed liquidator, who was appointed when the firm ceased trading.

Mr McKee also confirmed that he held a meeting with potential investors in the business on Thursday.

Glasgow-based Morton's stopped trading last week, putting about 250 jobs at risk.

Mr McKee said: "Yesterday I met with a representative of potential investors to listen to their proposal. Scottish Enterprise will also liaise with them and the appointed provisional liquidator."

He added: "The workers affected by any business ceasing trading are the immediate priority.

"The Scottish government's initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE), contacted the company and the liquidator to offer to provide support to affected employees."

• Investor hopes over threatened Morton's Rolls bakery

• Scottish bakery Morton's Rolls 'ceases trading'

On Thursday, Scotland's first minister vowed to do "everything possible" to try to save the troubled bakery.

Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs that ministers would see whether a rescue package could be put together that would allow the company to remain in business.

In response to a question from Labour MSP Paul Sweeney at First Minister's Questions, Ms Sturgeon said: "I commit to doing everything possible to try to preserve Morton's Rolls and the jobs of the people who depend on the company.

"Like everybody else, I was deeply concerned to hear of the company's decision last week to cease trading.

"In my pre-politics life, I worked in Drumchapel, and I know how important such a company is to the people and sense of community there. Morton's is an iconic Scottish brand."

Morton's bakery is based in Drumchapel, Glasgow

Ms Sturgeon added: "Working with Glasgow City Council, the Scottish government will do everything that we possibly can to see whether there is a rescue package that will allow the company to continue trading and making the contribution that it has made for some time to the community of Drumchapel."

The Companies House website states that there is an "active proposal to strike off" the firm.

Morton's Rolls accounts for the year to 31 March 2022 were required to be filed by 31 December and are now overdue.

For the year to the end of March 2021, the company reported a loss of £262,00 on turnover of more than £11.8m.

The BBC has approached Morton's for comment.

An update on Morton's website suggests the company may make an announcement soon.