Julie Palmer, Simon Campbell and Gavin Savage from Begbies Traynor have been appointed joint administrators to Powder Train LLP, a partnership which holds five freehold pubs across the south of England.

Powder Train has been trading since 2006 and employs approximately 100 staff in the pubs, which are based in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Sussex. The administrators said the gastro-pub company had experienced several years of difficult trading conditions.

The administrators are trading the business forward with a view to maximising value for creditors.

Begbies Traynor partner and joint administrator, Julie Palmer, said: 'The five pubs present a diverse offering geographically and to the market-place. However, the trading businesses appear to be viable in their own right and we expect strong interest in all five units over the next few months.'