Graham Bushby and Guy Mander of Baker Tilly have been appointed joint administrators of HK Taverns Ltd, a company which runs a chain of pubs in the East Midlands.

Headquartered in Corby, Northamptonshire, HK Taverns managed and operated approximately 50 pubs ranging from small community pubs to large food- led operations.

The administrators have said they intend to continue trade at five sites, which will secure around 40 jobs, until a buyer for the individual pubs or the group can be found.

Graham Bushby, restructuring and recovery partner at Baker Tilly said: 'Sales at HK Taverns have been affected by the continued pressure on consumer income. In response to creditor pressure, the company management reached the inevitable conclusion that the only option was to appoint administrators.'