Warning issued to Typhoo Tea drinkers 'after more than 120 years'

Typhoo Tea has collapsed into administration after more than 120 years. Vapes and batteries maker Supreme has said it is in talks over a potential rescue deal to snap up Typhoo, which is rivalled by the likes of Tetley, Twinings, PG Tips and Yorkshire Tea.

Typhoo filed a notice to appoint administrators on Wednesday, according to official filings. Insolvency specialists at Kroll have been appointed to oversee the administration process and are hoping to strike a rescue deal for the business.

It is understood the business has fewer than 100 employees. Supreme – the London-listed vaping products and drinks manufacturer – told shareholders on Thursday that rescue talks are at “an advanced stage” but it is not certain an acquisition deal will be completed.

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The move would be part of efforts by Supreme to grow its drinks and nutrition operations, as it reduces its focus on vaping ahead of a Labour Party government clampdown on disposable vapes due next year. A spokesman for Kroll said: “As reported recently, the company has experienced significant cash flow constraints as a result of supply chain disruptions and subsequent service issues.

“The company has been exploring a sale of the business and assets which is in the process of concluding. The administration process provides Typhoo Tea with protection, allowing the joint administrators to finalise the sale in order to rescue the business."

Typhoo’s latest company filings showed that it made a £38 million loss last year, while sales fell by a quarter to £25.3 million. It had 116 employees as of late 2023. In the same year, Typhoo suffered a further blow when trespassers broke into the company’s former factory in Merseyside and occupied the site for several days.

At the time, the company said the break-in caused “extensive damage” and made the site “inaccessible.” The company had been trying to sell the factory, in a deal which eventually went through in June 2024. Typhoo said the incident made up the bulk of £24 million of exceptional costs that year, and that it had “materially” affected its day-to-day running.