SOUTH East Cornwall company Drinkmaster has gone into liquidation with the loss of 22 jobs.

Staff were told yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) to clear their desks, a company spokesperson confirmed. Northern Ireland-based parent company Tayto, which acquired the Liskeard-based company around two years ago, said it had taken the decision to close the business following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its core customer base.

When Drinkmaster first opened its production lines in 1962, the drinks vending machine and instant hot drinks specialist quickly carved itself a place as an industry leader: it was the first to bring the world the drink pod, and also the first to make and sell a round tea bag.

The company has been part of the Tayto group since 2018, when it was bought out of administration along with two other former subsidiaries of Uvenco plc.

A spokesperson for Tayto said: “We have taken the decision to close the Drinkmaster business in Liskeard with immediate effect. Unfortunately, this will result in all 22 employees of the company being made redundant.

“The company’s core customer base has been severely impacted by the coronavirus, further reducing sales for what was already a loss-making business. Sadly, we do not believe orders from key sectors such as airlines, coach tours and betting shops will return to levels needed to make the business viable in future.

“We regret having to make this decision and would like to thank all of the staff at Drinkmaster for their hard work for the company.”