Nearly 240 staff laid off a week after building firm goes bust

UBC redundancies: Nearly 240 staff laid off and 30 jobs likely to be saved.STV

Nearly 240 staff across Scotland have been laid off by administrators for a major construction firm.

The UBC Group - known as Uist Builders - went into administration on Tuesday.

Administrators Zolfo Cooper cite "extremely challenging trading conditions" as the reason for the company's cash flow problems.

Zolfo Cooper said the company would continue to trade as future options were considered.

On Friday the administrators announced that 238 staff were being laid off.

Inverness sees the most losses, with 98 jobs going, while 90 are going in the Western Isles.

In Bathgate 45 jobs are being lost, and a further five in Glasgow.

Elizabeth Mackay, Zolfo Cooper joint administrator and lead partner, said: "It was with great regret that we have had to take today’s extremely difficult decision.

"We are fully aware of the impact that these redundancies have on the communities in which UBC Group operated for many years and my team and I will be working with all relevant agencies and third parties to seek to minimise the impact as much as possible.

"Unfortunately, the group’s overall financial position had become untenable and a lack of outside interest in acquiring the business as a going concern meant that today’s decision was the only remaining course of action available.

"I would like to thank all group employees for their professionalism and dedication during this unsettling period and wish them luck for the future."

One branch of the UBC Group, Wyvis Roofing, remains unaffected by the redundancies and administrators say they are hopeful the business can be sold and 30 jobs in Inverness saved.

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