35 workers laid off as steel firm goes bust after 36 years
More than 35 jobs have been lost after a Black Country steel firm closed its doors.
Atticrose, based in Robottom Close, off Leamore Lane in Bloxwich, Walsall, had been operating for more than 36 years but closed indefinitely on October 12 after running out of money.
All the company’s staff were told in a meeting with directors and have been given a week’s pay.
A former employee, who did not wish to be named and had worked there for nearly a year, said the steel fabrication company had blamed the closure on falling to land contracts in the biomass industry.
“Employees are now left with dismal few weeks leading up to Christmas having to claim unpaid wages from the Redundancy Service as well as obtaining unpaid employer pension contributions from the liquidator,” said the former employee.
He said staff were told that the company, which has been advised by FRP Advisory, is due to be formally placed into liquidation on Wednesday October 24.
FRP Advisory confirmed it is working with the directors of Atticrose to review options for the business.
“A further update will be provided in due course,” it said in a statement.
Atticrose was involved last year in taking down the iconic silos at the old Goodyear site in Wolverhampton.
Heat treatment furnace firm Bricesco, which is also part of Atticrose Group, is continuing to trade from the Bloxwich site.
The former leader of Walsall Council and current leader of the council’s Labour group, Sean Coughlan, said it was ‘really sad’ to see Atticrose close its doors, warning the closure was going to have a ‘knock-on effect’ across Bloxwich.
He told the Express & Star: I have to say they were an excellent company and it’s really said to see them go.
"Unfortunately, it’s a sign of manufacturing in the area.
“There’s going to be a knock-on effect on Bloxwich. I know the kind of impact it has on people because we’ve had it happen to the lock industry.
“They were a well known company and an excellent one from my experience.
“It’s a terrible thing for Bloxwich at a time when we’re being told by the government things are getting better.”
