D W Hart & Son Ltd, the well-known local building firm based in Hemyock, has gone into administration, the victim of unpaid debts and the harsh economic climate.
The company, which specializes in home extensions, bathrooms, loft conversions and smaller building projects, has been owned and run by four generations of the same family, dating back to 1833. The current owner, Stephen Hart said, “We had to call in the administrator when I had to take a client to court over an unpaid debt. The current economic climate hasn’t helped, neither has the fact that we’re VAT registered. It’s very sad that the yard has had to close. It will probably now have to be sold to pay debts.”
Asked about his employees, Mr Hart said, “We’ve had to lay off twelve men and office staff. Some have retired and others have set up in business on their own. Two years ago we employed thirty-six men and when the company was at its peak we had a workforce of fifty-six, plus apprentices.”
According to the administrator, Mr David Kirk, the company will continue trading for a short while to finish two house extensions and various small works but will finally cease operations at the end of July. There will then be an onsite closing down sale.