Jobs fears as building f irm calls in the administrators

‘Hoping a buyer steps forward’

A SHOPFITTER and manufacturer has announced plans to appoint administrators, putting 320 jobs at risk. Havelock Europa, which employs most of its staff at its headquarters in Kirkcaldy, Fife, has published a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

The move comes after a troubled period for the company, which suspended trading on its shares earlier this week.

This followed financial results released in May which ‘cast significant doubt over its ability to continue as a going concern’.

It said it had suffered a drop in orders because of continuing pressures on the high street.

In its notice, Havelock Europa said: ‘Unless circumstances change, and in accordance with statutory requirements, the board intends to appoint administrators within ten business days. The secured creditors can, however, appoint administrators without the requirement for notice.

‘The directors remain in discussions with potentially interested parties. There can be no guarantee, however, that such discussions will conclude satisfactorily.’

Customers have included Primark, Holland and Barrett, and House of Fraser. Recent financial struggles have prompted interventions from Fife Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government.

Last September, the company’s chief executive David Ritchie was replaced by Shaun Ormrod, former boss of the firm behind the Farnborough International Airshow. Chairman David MacLellan and chief financial officer Ciaran Kennedy also quit last year.

Alistair Cameron, a Labour councillor in Kirkcaldy and former employee at the firm, said Havelock’s struggles came as a blow to the area. He added: ‘They’re a major employer in the town and our concerns are not just for the company but for the workforce and their families.

‘We’ve got the next ten days when, maybe, somebody might come in. We’ve just got to hope that somebody does and is able to come in and help them out. When you talk about the high street, you can see where Havelock’s problems have come from because when you see that the likes of John Lewis, Debenhams, House of Fraser, who are obviously struggling, the last thing you’re going to be doing is a shopfit and this is the problem.’

GMB Scotland organiser Alan Ritchie said the union had been assured that staff would be paid on time, and that it would be ‘business as usual’ on Monday morning.

He added: ‘What we are all hoping for over the next few days is that a buyer steps forward to save livelihoods.’