ADMINISTRATORS have been appointed for an award-winning gastropub chain which went bust in June.

The Seafood Pub Company ran several venues across East Lancashire and Yorkshire, including Forest at Fence and the Assheton Arms in Downham.

Barrowford businesswoman Joycelyn Neve founded the company in 2010 building up a portfolio of restaurants and pubs over the last ten years.

However Miss Neve informed staff back in June that the coronavirus crisis had proved too much for her business, which she was ultimately unable to save.

In a letter she said: “The Seafood Pub Company has filed a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators. The past few months has been unprecedented for the hospitality industry. Unable to access Government support in the form of a a CBIL, (Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan) or other funding, and with no income since the forced closure, there is no choice other than for the business to go into Administration.” Ryan Grant and Kerry Bailey from BBO LLP have now been appointed administrators by the High Court.