Newborn photo shoot company Bounty that operated at hospitals including QA in Portsmouth appoints administrators

Bounty, which regularly operated at more than 150 hospitals across the country including Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, appointed administrators Alvarez & Marsal earlier this week.

Bounty was established in 1959 by Bill Hopewell-Smith.

As well as its photography business, which sold newborn photo packages between £19 and £129, it also operated a popular parenting website and app, and gave free samples and information packs to new and expectant parents.

Last year it attracted controversy after it was fined £400,000 for sharing customers’ details.

There were also complaints the service was intrusive, and sometimes insensitive, preying on new mothers at a vulnerable time, which led to several hospitals banning it for their wards.

It has been reported that 300 jobs are expected to go.

Current owner and chief executive, Alan Charming Chan, is expected to buy its sampling and consumer marketing division, and retain 40 staff.