Lanarkshire school pupils could be left without uniforms for start of term after fire destroys factory

School children across North and South Lanarkshire could be left without uniforms for the start of term after a fire destroyed a manufacturers factory.

Scotcrest Uniforms, which supplies skirts and pinafores to primary and secondary schools, confirmed a blaze on Summer Street in Rochdale, Greater Manchester last month means “all outstanding stock” has been lost.

With the start of term approaching next month, Scotcrest said it has been searching for alternative suppliers but that stock wouldn’t be likely to be ready until the end of September.

Scotcrest provides high school skirts for St Andrews and St Ambrose in Coatbridge and St John Ogilvie in Hamilton.

Pinafores for various primary schools in North and South Lanarkshire were also lost.

The company, which has branches in Airdrie, Alva and Hamilton, said it had been “extremely difficult” to attempt to fulfil orders during the summer holidays.

A post from Scotcrest Uniforms on Facebook read: “We regret to inform our customers that our skirt and pinafore manufacturer had a devastating fire that completely destroyed their factory, machines and all outstanding stock still to be shipped to us.

“We have spent the last few weeks trying to find alternative suppliers to fulfil these orders but being in the middle of school season this has proved to be extremely difficult.

“We hope to have a clearer picture of when this stock will be available in a week or two but we don’t expect it to be ready before the end of September.

“The items involved are the high school skirts for St Andrews and St Ambrose in Coatbridge and St John Ogilvie high in Hamilton.

“We also lost pinafores for various primary schools in North and South Lanarkshire.

“We apologise for any problems this may cause but we are working hard to find a solution and will keep everyone informed.”