Hundreds of jobs at risk at Heywood roofing specialist

A Greater Manchester roofing services firm is reportedly on the brink of collapse, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

Sky News claims Heywood-based Avonside could appoint liquidators today (September 6) after rescue attempts had failed.

The firm employs 450 staff, and has around 1,200 contract labourers on its books.

It is believed that private equity firm Core Capital, which has held a stake in the firm since 2017, had approached NatWest to inject new funding into Avonside, on top of the reported £12m the bank has already invested.

However, the bank declined, leaving directors no option but to consider administration.

Part of the group could still be sold, which could lead to some jobs being saved.

Insolvency specialist, Begbies Traynor, had been trying to find a buyer for Avonside, but without success.

Avonside, which was founded around 25 years ago, operates in a range of sectors, including local authority, social housing, residential, education, healthcare, facility management, and public sector framework.

The group also installs plumbing, heating and solar power on behalf of housebuilders.

No-one at Avonside or Begbies Traynor was available for comment.