More jobs to go in North-based construction firm Patton

More workers are to lose their jobs at one of Northern Ireland’s longest-established construction firms, administrators have confirmed.

Family-run business Patton, which is based in Ballymena, was placed into administration earlier this month.

Administrators Keenan CF have already made 190 redundancies from the workforce.

Today they confirmed that more people would be laid off.

“The administrator, Tom Keenan of Keenan CF, announces with regret that it has been necessary to make a further number of staff redundant with effect from today,” said a spokesman.

The spokesman said he was unable to confirm the number of redundancies being made today.

He said the job losses were unavoidable as a number of customers had terminated contracts with Patton since it entered administration.

“The number of staff required by the company was directly impacted and this process continues. Resulting in the further redundancies,” he said.

“The company’s trading position will continue to be reviewed over the coming weeks and the administrator will keep the employees informed.”

Patton was consumed by financial problems in what should have been a year of celebration as it marked its centenary.

Before it entered administration the company had employed about 320 people.

The company had a turnover of about £140m (€173m) last year but posted a £7m (€8.6m) loss.

Workers in Patton are not the only ones set to suffer, with numerous sub-contractors also preparing to lose out in terms of both unpaid invoices and future work opportunities.