Sixty jobs axed after bakery stores closed

A CHAIN of bakery stores founded in 1942 has gone into liquidation due to the coronavirus restrictions, with the loss of 60 jobs.

Staff at the Carlton Bakeries chain, which has 10 branches across Fife, were informed of the news on Wednesday by letter.

The company, registered under the name William Mcmillan Ltd, had suffered recent financial losses and had been working through a restructuring plan.

But following the implementation of coronavirus restrictions, it had no alternative but to close the business permanently.

Managing director Graeme Simpson said: “William Mcmillan is a long-standing Fife-based family business with a proud tradition and long history.

“We have been fortunate to have a very loyal hard-working staff, many of whom have been with the business for a good number of years. We are all deeply disappointed that the business has been adversely affected by the coronavirus restrictions which has made the financial position unsustainable.

“Steps are being taken to place the company in liquidation and this is expected to be finalised in the coming days. We will work closely with the liquidators when they are appointed in due course to ensure every possible assistance is provided to the staff during this difficult time.”

On Tuesday, a leading economic think-tank warned Scotland’s economy could shrink by as much as one-quarter if the lockdown continues for three months.

The Fraser of Allander Institute at Strathclyde University estimated that if restrictions last to the summer “Scottish GDP could contract by 20-25 per cent”.