Hundreds of jobs lost after construction firm collapses

‘Blow to the local economy’

A CONSTRUCTION firm has gone bust with the loss of 287 jobs.

Crummock, which was based in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, announced it had ceased trading yesterday.

The company placed itself in receivership and appointed restructuring firm Johnson Carmichael as receivers.

The privately owned construction firm said its 287 employees have all been made redundant as a result.

Crummock provided civil engineering and surfacing construction services including groundworks, infrastructure works, roadworks and road surfacing.

Matt Henderson of Johnson Carmichael said: ‘Crummock is a long-established construction business which, like many in the industry, has suffered in recent times.

‘Unfortunately, the business was unable to raise the capital to enable it to overcome the current financial challenges it faces and we are now dealing with creditors’ claims.’

Crummock has been involved in a number of civil engineering projects around Scotland, including the troubled Edinburgh trams scheme.

In March this year the firm said it expected to have a turnover of £34million. However, accounts from March last year highlighted fears that the absence of contracts from the Scottish Government and shrinking local authority budgets posed a risk to the business.

Midlothian Council economic development leader Russell Imrie said the collapse will be ‘a real blow to the local economy and to the council’.

Mr Imrie added: ‘We’re shocked and saddened to hear well-established local employer Crummock is to close.

‘We will be seeking a meeting with Crummock as soon as possible to discuss what support we can give at what is obviously a very distressing time for its workforce and management. No amount of words can replace the jobs.’