150 jobs go as firm fails

PERTH was yesterday left reeling from a major jobs blow as one of the town's largest employers collapsed, placing more than 150 jobs at risk.

Building company Clachan Construction fell into the hands of receivers after the firm was hit by the industry-wide downturn. It is understood that receivers from Henderson Loggie were called to the company's headquarters at the Inveralmond industrial estate at the request of Bank of Scotland.

Joint receiver Claire Middlebrook said: "Unfortunately it looks like most, if not all, of the company's workforce will be made redundant."

Pete Wishart, the SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said the scale of the potential job losses would be devastating for the town.

He said: "This is dreadful blow to the Perthshire economy, with 150 jobs and a well-known and reputable local company being lost. My thoughts are with employees and their families who, after anxious waiting, will be facing many difficulties looking to the future."

Wishart added: "Whilst many aspects of the Perthshire economy had been weathering the recession comparatively well, the construction sector has been much worse affected. I had hoped that the building trade in Perthshire would withstand the dire financial climate and see the recession out. It is therefore bitterly disappointing to see Clachan fall victim to the downturn."