Unpaid bills blamed for builder’s fall

A HIGHLAND construction company yesterday blamed its fall into the hands of administrators on customers not paying their bills, as 277 jobs were put at risk.

Inverness-based UBC Group, which turned over about £30 million last year, has bases in Bathgate, Dundee, Glasgow, South Uist and Stornoway.

Joint administrators Fraser Gray, Elizabeth Mackay and Anne O’Keefe from Zolfo Cooper said they will continue to trade the group, previously known as Uist Builders, while seeking a buyer.

Seumas Pedrana, managing director of UBC Group, said: “This is a sad day for everyone connected to this family business and the communities we have served for the past 40 years.

“The directors have looked at every possible option to avoid administration but it became inevitable because of the general downturn in the building sector and the inability of some companies to pay us.”