U.K. Edition
Northampton scaffolding firm boss facing Spain murder charge
SPANISH police have yet to say whether a man from Northampton who stands accused of fatally stabbing another Brit during a bar brawl in Majorca is to be charged with murder.
Thomas Swannell, aged 44, of Wellingborough Road, Northampton, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning by police on the Balearic island following the alleged attack in a bar in Magaluf.
Swannell, a scaffolding firm boss, was arrested on suspicion of stabbing Gary Vigors, aged 41, from Essex, in the neck with a bottle. He was on an annual cricket tour with Finedon Dolben Cricket Club.
He was due to appear in court in Majorca yesterday.
Eyewitnesses have spoken about how they found Mr Vigors, a father-of-one, lying on the side of the road following an incident at the popular Cafe Plaza bar, at around 2.20am.
Bar staff tried to resuscitate him for several minutes before an ambulance arrived and took him to hospital. He was later pronounced dead by paramedics.
It has also emerged the two men did not know each other and were with different groups in Majorca.
Finedon Dolben Cricket Club officials have confirmed Swannell has been part of the club “for a little while” and had taken on the responsibility as one of the club’s sponsors this year.
Stewart Miller, club chairman, said: “Thomas Swannell has been part of the club for a little while, then as a result he offered to sponsor a few things for us this year. We have many, many sponsors who sponsor anything from a cricket ball to a shirt.”
Mr Miller said that most of the club members of the tour returned as planned yesterday afternoon.
He added: “We are absolutely devastated and I’m sure that everyone would have been glad to get back to their families. It was very much a family touch with everyone from pensioners to young players, it wasn’t a bunch of lads on their own. The bulk of the people travelling are from Finedon and I would imagine it has been horrendous for all of them.”
A spokesman at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office last night confirmed they were aware a British man had been arrested following the incident in Majorca. The Chron attempted to speak to family members at Mr Swannell’s £500,000 home yesterday but they declined.
Via: www.northamptonchron.co.uk
Lavendon Access Services Wins Construction News Specialist Award
Lavendon Access Services has won the prestigious Construction News Specialist Award as the UK’s best access or scaffolding supplier in 2011.
The judges said they based their decision on the finalists’ rate of growth, business successes, commitment to health and safety, client satisfaction and future ambitions.
Members of the judging panel included Ray Horwood, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, and Sean Bowles, Operations Director of housing developers Galliford Try.
The panel concluded: “Lavendon Access Services is a company that stands out from the pack in terms of commitment to a strong and uniformed workforce while achieving excellence to customers.”
Accepting the award, Mike Potts, Lavendon Access Services’ UK Chief Executive, said: “One of the most pleasing aspects of this award is that five of the six other finalists were scaffolding companies.
“I believe this is a clear message that the benefits of powered access, in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety, are increasingly accepted by decision-makers in the construction industry.
“Our employees’ commitment to service innovation, safety and customer satisfaction has played a major part in Lavendon Access Services being named as winners of the Specialist Award within the Access and Scaffolding category.
“2010 was definitely a challenging year for the powered access industry, but the quality of people we employ and services we provide has ensured that we have continued to retain and secure new business.”
The awards ceremony took place at the London Hilton, Park Lane, and was attended by 600 leaders in specialist contracting across the UK.
The award was presented by Construction News, the UK’s leading construction magazine, and supported by the National Specialists Contractors Council.
Nick Edwards, editor of Construction News magazine commented: “Eighty companies made it onto the shortlist of this year’s awards across 18 categories. Eighty reasons why whatever the state of the economy, while the planners delay, the politicians talk and the bankers get paid, the country’s specialist subcontractors will keep on delivering the goods. Well done to all of you.”
Via:
The judges said they based their decision on the finalists’ rate of growth, business successes, commitment to health and safety, client satisfaction and future ambitions.
Members of the judging panel included Ray Horwood, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, and Sean Bowles, Operations Director of housing developers Galliford Try.
The panel concluded: “Lavendon Access Services is a company that stands out from the pack in terms of commitment to a strong and uniformed workforce while achieving excellence to customers.”
Accepting the award, Mike Potts, Lavendon Access Services’ UK Chief Executive, said: “One of the most pleasing aspects of this award is that five of the six other finalists were scaffolding companies.
“I believe this is a clear message that the benefits of powered access, in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety, are increasingly accepted by decision-makers in the construction industry.
“Our employees’ commitment to service innovation, safety and customer satisfaction has played a major part in Lavendon Access Services being named as winners of the Specialist Award within the Access and Scaffolding category.
“2010 was definitely a challenging year for the powered access industry, but the quality of people we employ and services we provide has ensured that we have continued to retain and secure new business.”
The awards ceremony took place at the London Hilton, Park Lane, and was attended by 600 leaders in specialist contracting across the UK.
The award was presented by Construction News, the UK’s leading construction magazine, and supported by the National Specialists Contractors Council.
Nick Edwards, editor of Construction News magazine commented: “Eighty companies made it onto the shortlist of this year’s awards across 18 categories. Eighty reasons why whatever the state of the economy, while the planners delay, the politicians talk and the bankers get paid, the country’s specialist subcontractors will keep on delivering the goods. Well done to all of you.”
Via: Scaffolder cycles for charity
Keen Corsham cyclists embarking on a 100-mile ride this weekend have already raised £1,800 for their chosen charity. The seven friends teamed up to carry out the two-day adventure to the New Forest and back in a bid to raise money for Wiltshire Wishes, a charity helping local children suffering from disabilities and illnesses, and Cancer Research. The idea was the brainchild of Corsham couple Kerry and Triston Ward, of Prospect, who were inspired by the work of the two charities. Mr Ward, 34, a scaffolder, will be joined by friends Chris Hemmings, Justin Carr, Gene Gibbins, Steven Ward, Paul Cartwright and Darren Carr on Saturday morning when they leave Corsham. Mrs Ward, 32, who works at a local sandwich shop, said: “My husband’s mother June was diagnosed with breast cancer and it gave him the idea of raising money for the charity. “We were also quite moved by work that Wiltshire Wishes is doing. It seems like a really worthwhile local charity which we felt that we could support. “The team have been busy preparing. Triston has not done something like this before so it will be a good challenge.” In a bid to save money the team will be camping in the New Forest on Saturday night before making their return journey the next morning. They will be accompanied by friends who are unable to take part in the cycling, who will drive alongside with the camping equipment. A homecoming party will be held at the Great Western pub, on Prospect, where a barbecue and raffle will be held from 5pm on Sunday to boost funds further. Mrs Ward, who has three children, added: “A lot of local businesses in Corsham have really been very generous and donated prizes to us. They have been really supportive.” Jenny Edmonds, founder of Wiltshire Wishes, said: “They had been in touch to say they wanted to do the bike ride to raise money for us. It still amazes me how everyone is getting behind us with all the events they are planning. I really want to wish them the best of luck. We really appreciate what they are doing.”
Harsco receives additional scaffolding contract from Tata Steel Scunthorpe (UK) worth close to $10 million
Worldwide industrial services and engineered products company Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) announced today a further award from Tata Steel to provide industrial scaffolding support of plant maintenance activities at one of its major operations.
The contract, valued at close to $10 million over its 3-year term, provides for 24/7 scaffolding support of the 2,000 acre Tata Steel plant in Scunthorpe, UK, a major location where Harsco Metals also provides onsite metal recovery and material handling services to Tata Steel’s steelmaking operations.
The award reinforces Harsco Infrastructure’s increasing global focus on the industrial maintenance and infrastructure sectors and also demonstrates the Company’s growing multi-discipline relationship with the Tata Group. Last week, Harsco announced similar industrial scaffolding orders in India totaling more than $8 million with Tata Steel, Tata Power and Tata Mines.
Harsco’s industrial maintenance expertise was seen as a principal factor in winning the award, as the Company identified key areas in which savings could be made through increased efficiencies and reduced waste. “Our decision to move to a new work-at-height contract provider was not one that was taken lightly,” said Dave Jones, Contracts Manager at Tata Steel in Scunthorpe.
Unlike traditional scaffolding arrangements in which scaffolding providers normally charge by the hour based on how many and how long their scaffolders were provided, Harsco Infrastructure proposed a solutions-focused approach built around each project requirement.
“The development of this solutions-focused approach will be a radical change but one that will save us a lot of money,” said Jones. “These savings along with Harsco’s best-in-industry operations standards give me confidence that benefits across the whole site will be felt quickly.” Harsco Infrastructure is one of the world’s largest and most complete providers of engineered scaffolding, shoring and forming systems for major construction and industrial maintenance projects.
Commenting on the award, Executive Vice President and Harsco Infrastructure Group CEO Ivor Harrington, said, “This order from one of the world’s largest blue chip organizations highlights the progress that we are making in increasing our presence in the key industrial and infrastructure sectors. Our combination of experience and expertise puts us in position to serve some of the biggest players in these important markets, and deliver the improved performance that our customers and shareholders expect.”
Harsco Corporation is one of the world’s leading diversified industrial services and engineered products companies. The Company serves industries that are fundamental to global infrastructure development and economic growth including metals, construction, railways and energy. Harsco’s common stock is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 1000 Index. Additional information can be found at www.harsco.com.
Via: (Press Release)
The contract, valued at close to $10 million over its 3-year term, provides for 24/7 scaffolding support of the 2,000 acre Tata Steel plant in Scunthorpe, UK, a major location where Harsco Metals also provides onsite metal recovery and material handling services to Tata Steel’s steelmaking operations.
The award reinforces Harsco Infrastructure’s increasing global focus on the industrial maintenance and infrastructure sectors and also demonstrates the Company’s growing multi-discipline relationship with the Tata Group. Last week, Harsco announced similar industrial scaffolding orders in India totaling more than $8 million with Tata Steel, Tata Power and Tata Mines.
Harsco’s industrial maintenance expertise was seen as a principal factor in winning the award, as the Company identified key areas in which savings could be made through increased efficiencies and reduced waste. “Our decision to move to a new work-at-height contract provider was not one that was taken lightly,” said Dave Jones, Contracts Manager at Tata Steel in Scunthorpe.
Unlike traditional scaffolding arrangements in which scaffolding providers normally charge by the hour based on how many and how long their scaffolders were provided, Harsco Infrastructure proposed a solutions-focused approach built around each project requirement.
“The development of this solutions-focused approach will be a radical change but one that will save us a lot of money,” said Jones. “These savings along with Harsco’s best-in-industry operations standards give me confidence that benefits across the whole site will be felt quickly.” Harsco Infrastructure is one of the world’s largest and most complete providers of engineered scaffolding, shoring and forming systems for major construction and industrial maintenance projects.
Commenting on the award, Executive Vice President and Harsco Infrastructure Group CEO Ivor Harrington, said, “This order from one of the world’s largest blue chip organizations highlights the progress that we are making in increasing our presence in the key industrial and infrastructure sectors. Our combination of experience and expertise puts us in position to serve some of the biggest players in these important markets, and deliver the improved performance that our customers and shareholders expect.”
Harsco Corporation is one of the world’s leading diversified industrial services and engineered products companies. The Company serves industries that are fundamental to global infrastructure development and economic growth including metals, construction, railways and energy. Harsco’s common stock is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 1000 Index. Additional information can be found at www.harsco.com.
Via: (Press Release) Builder awarded £1.2m after fall from scaffold
A SELF-EMPLOYED builder who suffered severe spinal injuries on a building site has won a £1.25m compensation payout.
Dean Winstone, 47, of Hailey, near Witney, tripped and fell from first-floor scaffolding while working on a house in Cornwall in 2007.
He has been paraplegic ever since and is confined to a wheelchair. His lawyers said he will never work again.
At the High Court in London on Monday he was compensated for his pain and suffering, lost earnings and the costs of the future care.
Experts say his medical support will need to increase as he gets older.
Mr Winstone spent more than a month in Derriford Hospital, near Plymouth, before being transferred to the specialist spinal injury unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury.
He spent more than a year and a half at the hospital as an in-patient.
Without admitting liability, lawyers for the scaffolding company, Gemini Riteway Scaffolding Ltd, which was sued by Mr Winstone, agreed to settle his case for a lump sum of £1.25m, as well as his legal costs.
Via: Oxfordnews.co.uk
Dean Winstone, 47, of Hailey, near Witney, tripped and fell from first-floor scaffolding while working on a house in Cornwall in 2007.
He has been paraplegic ever since and is confined to a wheelchair. His lawyers said he will never work again.
At the High Court in London on Monday he was compensated for his pain and suffering, lost earnings and the costs of the future care.
Experts say his medical support will need to increase as he gets older.
Mr Winstone spent more than a month in Derriford Hospital, near Plymouth, before being transferred to the specialist spinal injury unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury.
He spent more than a year and a half at the hospital as an in-patient.
Without admitting liability, lawyers for the scaffolding company, Gemini Riteway Scaffolding Ltd, which was sued by Mr Winstone, agreed to settle his case for a lump sum of £1.25m, as well as his legal costs.
Via: Oxfordnews.co.uk Lads hit the gates at LOR,ConocoPhillips and West Burton power station
workers including scaffolders to join job losses protest on North Bank.
Workers at the ConocoPhillips oil refinery and Lindsey oil refinery with same reports coming from West Burton power station.
They have agreed this morning to join a protest over job losses at the Salt End Power Station on the North Bank.
They will join a mass protest in Salt End and Hull on Monday, organised by 400 workers who lost their jobs at the plant when their employer Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd lost a contract for work on the site.
Redhall workers from the area arrived at the gates of both ConocoPhillips and the Lindsey oil refineries at around 6am this morning to try and gain support for the protest.
Workers at the ConocoPhillips oil refinery and Lindsey oil refinery with same reports coming from West Burton power station.
They have agreed this morning to join a protest over job losses at the Salt End Power Station on the North Bank.
They will join a mass protest in Salt End and Hull on Monday, organised by 400 workers who lost their jobs at the plant when their employer Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd lost a contract for work on the site.
Redhall workers from the area arrived at the gates of both ConocoPhillips and the Lindsey oil refineries at around 6am this morning to try and gain support for the protest. NSG UK planning offshore expansion after successful six months
Scaffolding and industrial services firm NSG UK says it is planning further moves into the offshore sector after a successful first six months working with energy firm Centrica. The Deeside based company, which works on projects across the UK, has been working on offshore platforms in Morecambe Bay as part of a wider long-term contract with Centrica. NSG UK Intervention Teams have been flying to unmanned offshore platforms for the last six months, providing ongoing maintenance such as painting, blasting, access and thermal insulation. The firm is also contracted for refurbishment and renovation work for Centrica’s on shore terminals in Barrow. Mike Carr, NSG UK managing director, said he was delighted with the success of the project so far, and was looking forward to driving further into the platform sector. “Offshore is a fantastic opportunity for us as we offer a complete maintenance solution under one roof. Our specially trained Intervention Teams are doing a great job and it is really is a niche area of maintenance – we have worked hard to get it right and now we are seeing the benefits of investing our time and efforts into the offshore sector. “We are currently engaging with other firms who are impressed with the service we offer and are looking forward to seeing where this leads.” The 1, 2 or 3-man Intervention Teams have so far worked on DP3, DP4, DP6, DP8, DPPA, Calder and Millom West platforms, while also providing maintenance at Centrica’s Rampside Gas Terminals in Barrow, Cumbria, which is connected to the Morecambe Bay gas fields. Mr Carr added: “These are hard economic times and it is essential for businesses to develop the services they offer and the sectors they work. That is what we have done at NSG UK with offshore and we are keen to explore further opportunities of working with big names like Centrica in the industry.” Via: Hazard ex
Scaffolder jailed over unprovoked attack
A scaffolder who kicked a man in the face, breaking his nose, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Louie Spencer set upon the victim in Yates bar, Belvoir Street, in the city centre.
Leicester Crown Court was told the 30-year-old victim was out celebrating a friend’s stag night when he was suddenly floored by two punches.
Spencer then kicked him in the face.
The injured man, who also suffered a black eye and three chipped teeth, underwent surgery on his fractured nose and was in hospital overnight.
Judge Simon Hammond banned Spencer, a scaffolder, from Yates bar for two years.
He said: “It was totally unprovoked. He might have bumped into the defendant in a crowded bar but that’s no justification.”
Spencer (27), of Mill Lane, Enderby, was found guilty by a jury of causing actual bodily harm on Saturday, July 18, 2009.
He denied the offence, claiming the victim banged into to him and head-butted him.
He denied kicking and said he threw two punches in self-defence.
Judge Hammond said: “His version was supported by his wife and a friend who gave evidence.
“However, CCTV footage of the incident clearly showed the victim had not head-butted him.
“It showed the defendant punching him and then punching him again from behind.
“It proved the defendant, his wife and friend told a pack of lies. The gravity of the offence was kicking him on the ground when he was defenceless.
“Booting someone in the face can cause serous injuries. It was unprovoked, gratuitous violence by a bully, which often makes cities and towns no-go areas.
“The next day the manager viewed the CCTV footage.
“He later saw the defendant in the bar boasting to friends about what he’d done.”
Esther Harrison, prosecuting, said Spencer had previous convictions for offences of violence.
James Bide-Thomas, mitigating, said Spencer was a hard-working family man with a young child.
He said the offence happened on the spur of the moment and was not premeditated.
He added there was a gap since his last offending and he had turned his life around for the better.
Mr Bide-Thomas said: “He knows his behaviour was totally unacceptable.
“He’s come to court expecting the worse.”
Louie Spencer set upon the victim in Yates bar, Belvoir Street, in the city centre.
Leicester Crown Court was told the 30-year-old victim was out celebrating a friend’s stag night when he was suddenly floored by two punches.
Spencer then kicked him in the face.
Perents sue hospital blamed for scaffolders death
LEGAL action is planned against a hospital blamed for the death of a lad from a blood clot.
Charles and Lynn Lowden have launched legal action against Ashington’s Wansbeck General Hospital after an inquest heard how a team of doctors failed to spot their son Charlie had developed the potentially fatal condition.
The 20-year-old became seriously ill just 10 days after undergoing a routine hernia operation at a different hospital in November 2009.
He was rushed into the hospital’s accident and emergency department with agonising chest and back pain and had been vomiting blood.
But despite his horrendous symptoms, medical staff failed to investigate a possible pulmonary embolism – a blocked artery – and discharged him the next day, without further investigation.
Just two weeks later, Charlie, a scaffolder, collapsed at his home in Rosalind Avenue, Bedlington, and died on December 9 2009.
Postmortems found he had died from a huge blood clot which formed in his left leg and travelled to his heart.
During a two-day inquest this week, it emerged how doctors ruled out a blood clot – despite Mr Lowden having undergone recent surgery, having an abnormal blood test and heart scan.
Now, his anguished parents have instructed a solicitor to initiate civil proceedings against Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Wansbeck General Hospital.
Lynn, 52, said: “Nothing has changed at that hospital at all since our Charles died.
“They haven’t learnt by their mistakes and by no means is this finished with as far as we are concerned.
“They have ruined our lives and somebody has got to be made accountable for it. It’s about getting justice for our Charles. The whole system in that hospital let him down.
“It was supposed to help him, but on that day, it collapsed and not one of them did their job properly.”
The Trust carried out its own investigation into Mr Lowden’s death and said it had since reviewed its admissions forms, but had yet to implement new patient discharge procedures.
Ben Gent, of Simpson Millar solicitors, in Gateshead, is representing the family.
He said: “It may be that Northumbria Healthcare Trust now feels that the time is right to accept responsibility for Charlie’s death.
“If not, Mr and Mrs Lowden have given a clear indication that they will be seeking accountability through the court system.”
Chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Jim Mackey, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Mr Lowden.
“Mr Lowden died of a rare complication of surgery which we have fully investigated.
“The report of this investigation, which we shared with Mr Lowden’s family, highlighted areas of care where we felt we could improve and we have implemented new systems as a result of this.
“Furthermore we are going to include the NEWS (Northumbria Early Warning System) score on the discharge documentation which alerts staff to contact senior medical colleagues when the NEWS score is higher than anticipated for a patient going home.”
Via: www.chroniclelive.co.uk
Charles and Lynn Lowden have launched legal action against Ashington’s Wansbeck General Hospital after an inquest heard how a team of doctors failed to spot their son Charlie had developed the potentially fatal condition.
The 20-year-old became seriously ill just 10 days after undergoing a routine hernia operation at a different hospital in November 2009.
He was rushed into the hospital’s accident and emergency department with agonising chest and back pain and had been vomiting blood.
But despite his horrendous symptoms, medical staff failed to investigate a possible pulmonary embolism – a blocked artery – and discharged him the next day, without further investigation.
Just two weeks later, Charlie, a scaffolder, collapsed at his home in Rosalind Avenue, Bedlington, and died on December 9 2009.
Postmortems found he had died from a huge blood clot which formed in his left leg and travelled to his heart.
During a two-day inquest this week, it emerged how doctors ruled out a blood clot – despite Mr Lowden having undergone recent surgery, having an abnormal blood test and heart scan.
Now, his anguished parents have instructed a solicitor to initiate civil proceedings against Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Wansbeck General Hospital.
Lynn, 52, said: “Nothing has changed at that hospital at all since our Charles died.
“They haven’t learnt by their mistakes and by no means is this finished with as far as we are concerned.
“They have ruined our lives and somebody has got to be made accountable for it. It’s about getting justice for our Charles. The whole system in that hospital let him down.
“It was supposed to help him, but on that day, it collapsed and not one of them did their job properly.”
The Trust carried out its own investigation into Mr Lowden’s death and said it had since reviewed its admissions forms, but had yet to implement new patient discharge procedures.
Ben Gent, of Simpson Millar solicitors, in Gateshead, is representing the family.
He said: “It may be that Northumbria Healthcare Trust now feels that the time is right to accept responsibility for Charlie’s death.
“If not, Mr and Mrs Lowden have given a clear indication that they will be seeking accountability through the court system.”
Chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Jim Mackey, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Mr Lowden.
“Mr Lowden died of a rare complication of surgery which we have fully investigated.
“The report of this investigation, which we shared with Mr Lowden’s family, highlighted areas of care where we felt we could improve and we have implemented new systems as a result of this.
“Furthermore we are going to include the NEWS (Northumbria Early Warning System) score on the discharge documentation which alerts staff to contact senior medical colleagues when the NEWS score is higher than anticipated for a patient going home.”
Via: www.chroniclelive.co.uk Yorkshire based Contract Services Limited (CSL) hit by downturn
A SCAFFOLDING firm hit by the decline in the construction industry has said it will continue to trade for as long as possible.
Osbaldwick-based Contract Services (Yorkshire) Limited (CSL), which has employed people in York for almost 40 years, is still taking on new business and will continue to trade for as long as it can, said founder Leslie Cullum.
But he said the economic situation and the decline in the construction industry meant that it was not worthwhile carrying the business on in the long term.
He said: “The result is that after 38 years, we are closing the business down in a controlled manner over the next three to four months and maybe longer.
“During that time every contract will be completed and everyone has been issued with redundancy notices. We will endeavour to extend those notices for as long as we find it viable to. We are still looking for business to keep these people employed as long as possible.”
The business, which employs 40 to 50 people, has provided scaffolding for small projects as well as high-profile work for commercial, industrial and heritage organisations, including York Minster’s East Window and the Sadlers Wells Theatre in London.
Mr Cullum said: “We have got some people who have been here for 30 years and the company has been at the forefront of the industry.
“We have given a lot of people a lot of jobs over the years and it’s very sad on my part that we find ourselves in this situation, but it’s the direct result of the economic situation.”
Osbaldwick-based Contract Services (Yorkshire) Limited (CSL), which has employed people in York for almost 40 years, is still taking on new business and will continue to trade for as long as it can, said founder Leslie Cullum.
But he said the economic situation and the decline in the construction industry meant that it was not worthwhile carrying the business on in the long term.
He said: “The result is that after 38 years, we are closing the business down in a controlled manner over the next three to four months and maybe longer.
“During that time every contract will be completed and everyone has been issued with redundancy notices. We will endeavour to extend those notices for as long as we find it viable to. We are still looking for business to keep these people employed as long as possible.”
The business, which employs 40 to 50 people, has provided scaffolding for small projects as well as high-profile work for commercial, industrial and heritage organisations, including York Minster’s East Window and the Sadlers Wells Theatre in London.
Mr Cullum said: “We have got some people who have been here for 30 years and the company has been at the forefront of the industry.
“We have given a lot of people a lot of jobs over the years and it’s very sad on my part that we find ourselves in this situation, but it’s the direct result of the economic situation.”