Firkins shops closed down

Firkins the bakers was in crisis today after 20 of its shops closed down overnight with the loss of 140 jobs, while emergency rescue talks were held to save the company.

The business was this afternoon placed in administration and then bought out by owner Ian Bolderston. The new Firkins Foods company has bought 30 of the shops and the bakery, securing around 200 jobs.

Branches of the bakers in Digbeth, in Walsall town centre, High Street, Bloxwich and Upper High Street, Wednesbury, were among those closed down today.

Shocked staff said they were phoned early today to be told they had lost their jobs at the company which has been struggling financially.

It also had to pay staff wages in instalments in recent weeks.

Mr Bolderston, who rescued the 137-year-old business from the brink of collapse in 2006, said in October he had been working for three months to put together a funding package with investors.

Today a company spokeswoman said Mr Bolderston would be talking to workers this afternoon.

Overnight, the 20 Firkins stores across the Black Country were closed, with some staff given just a couple of hours notice.

A woman who worked in a Sandwell branch said tha staff were phoned by management at 6.30am today to tell them not to go into work.

The 51-year-old, who did not want to be named, said: "It's awful and just before Christmas.

"For the past few months we've been paid in dribs and drabs.

"We're supposed to be paid on Friday and it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

"It's disgusting what they've done."