THE UK division of American “multi-purpose” kitchen tools company Pampered Chef is to close before Christmas, affecting 70 consultants in Northern Ireland.
The surprise news was announced on the company’s Facebook page last week, causing “shock and devastation” to workers and customers according to Portadown woman Karen McConnell, a senior director with the company.
The part-time teacher who has worked with the direct selling company for 12 years, said the news had come without warning and had left consultants in the north reeling.
“Pampered Chef has been in Northern Ireland for 16 years and there are currently 70 active Pampered Chef consultants in my team,” she said.
“The news has been devastating because as well as the chance to earn good money, the work was family-friendly and also very sociable.”
Karen, who joined Pampered Chef to work