Hundreds of contractors fear for jobs as specialist firm calls in administrators

Hundreds of construction staff who worked for a specialist firm have lost their jobs after the business went into administration.

Astins, the country’s largest drywall contractor, went into administration earlier this week.

The Crawley based company has ceased trading after 24 years in business.

Astins was set up in 1996 and grew to become one of largest specialist drywall contractors in the UK working with main contractors, owner clients and architects.

West Sussex-based Astins Ltd had been working on major projects including the new Royal Liverpool Hospital.

It has been reported that 100 staff were asked to leave the site on Monday.

According to reports a £7m legal claim on an historic contract forced the firm to call in the administrators.

Astins’ other projects included the Manchester Engineering Campus Development.

A joint statement from Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal, and Laing O’Rourke, said: “Astins Ltd have been employed as a works contractor to carry out dry lining and fire-stopping works at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

“The Trust and Laing O’Rourke are discussing the best options for ensuring progress on these works is maintained.

“We appreciate that the situation at Astins means this is a difficult time for their employees and subcontractors.”