Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Spilt Drinks in liquidation

Tuesday 07 October 1997 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The controversial alcopop market received a further setback yesterday when news emerged that the Spilt Drinks Company has gone out of business. The collapse follows a recent statement by Bass that sales of its market- leading Hooper's Hooch, are falling.

Aptly named Spilt Drinks, based in Exeter, makes the Jammin range of Caribbean fruit crushes. Sales of the range were expected to grow from 15 million bottles in 1996 to 20 million this year. However, Spilt Drinks, which is part of the 21st Century Drinks group, has been forced to called in accountants Ernst & Young to put the company into voluntary liquidation. The level of liabilities should emerge when creditors and shareholders meet on 15 October to discover why the business failed.

The failure is further evidence of growing pressures on the alcopop market following a Government crackdown on labelling and the sales of the drinks to young people. Alcopops have been criticised for looking too much like soft drinks and so tempting children to drink under age. Bass is the market leader in the alcopop market.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in