EIGHTY people have lost their jobs with the closure of Thompson Building Centres branches across the region.
The firm went into administration early this week, and administrator KPMG last night announced it was closing four Thompson Building Centres and six TAPS outlets due to continued poor trading.
The move means 80 employees have been made redundant, while 20 remain to assist the administrators as they continue to seek a sale of the businesses and its assets.
No-one was available from Thompson’s to comment.
Yesterday’s announcement came just one week after Thompson’s managing director Anne Ganley vowed to fight to save the business her father Albert began as a scrap merchant 60 years ago.
Revealing the firm had sought advice on
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entering into a Company Voluntary Arrangement with creditors, to buy it some breathing space, Mrs Ganley said: “I am determined to fight in any way I can to keep Thompson’s going and ensure that the jobs of all my staff are protected.”
The fight proved short-lived, however, with the appointment of administrators coming the next working day, in response to a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs.
“The business has been impacted by weak trading conditions across the sector which has led to cash pressures,” said administrator Mark Firmin.
“Ultimately, an inability to pay last month’s wage bill and the issuing of a winding up petition by HMRC have resulted in Thompson’s entering administration.
“We are now assessing the financial position of the company while marketing the business and assets for sale.”
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