Jobs go as Irwins wound up

CONSTRUCTION company Irwins has been wound up with the loss of 56 jobs after becoming a victim of the cuts to public spending.

KPMG was appointed administrator of the Leeds-based company earlier this week.
 
Mark Firmin, KPMG restructuring partner and joint administrator, said: “Irwins suffered a significant drop in turnover over recent months as a large proportion of its work related to public sector projects.

“Given the limited order book of the business, a sale was not a viable option and the company has had to be closed.”

Commenting on the prospects for the construction sector, Firmin said: “The public sector’s austerity agenda is already being felt by construction businesses and the impact will deepen as the pursestrings tighten.

“Many projects put on hold around the election in May have now been released for completion, keeping some construction companies busy delivering work already tendered. However the flow of new tenders is significantly lower than the levels seen even over the past couple of years, so in time, work will decline, seriously straining cashflow at a number of businesses in this capital spend reliant industry.”

Irwins had live contracts at 13 sites in Yorkshire at the time of the administrators’ appointment:
The University of York, York
Lambert Memorial Hospital, Thirsk
Saxton C of E Primary School, Tadcaster
Nostell Priory, Wakefield
Hucklow Primary School, Sheffield
Valley Park Children’s Centre, Sheffield,
Windmill Primary School, Leeds
Badsworth J&I Primary School, Badsworth
Travellers Rest, East Keswick
St John the Baptist CE School, Mexborough,
St Peter’s CE School, Sheffield
Parson Cross CE School, Sheffield
St Josephs School, Moorthorpe