Fife firm’s closure ‘a devastating blow’

The closure of a Fife distribution firm has been described as a “devastating blow” for the area by administrators after 151 jobs at its Dunfermline base were axed earlier this week.

Directors of Palmer & Harvey Mclane Limited said they had no choice but to shut up shop on Monday after being hit by challenging trading conditions.

They said they had been left with insufficient cash to continue to trade beyond the short-term, and no reasonable prospect of a sale.

Only 31 of the 182 staff employed by the firm at Pitreavie Business Park have been kept on, with the remaining employees expected to help joint administrators from Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC) bring the business to an orderly closure.

Matthew Callaghan, joint administrator and PWC partner, said: “The Palmer & Harvey name has been a trusted partner for retailers and suppliers for nearly 100 years.

“This is a devastating blow for everyone who has been involved in the business.

“The administration team will focus on working with employees, clients and suppliers to facilitate a smooth and effective wind-down or transfer of operations over the next few weeks.

“We will be circulating correspondence to all staff as soon as possible which will outline the support available to complete redundancy payment forms.”

The support of secured creditors means November wages have been paid.

SNP MSP Shirley-anne Somerville said: “I will be meeting with the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, later this week to discuss the situation in West Fife and will seek further details about what support the PACE Team can bring to assist workers in the area.”

MSP Shirley-anne Somerville.