Almost 150 jobs go at Dunloy-based firm

More than 250 people lost their jobs at the Patton Group when the company went into administration.

Now the administrators have been called to a number of companies within the Dunloy-based Joseph Hughes Group.

Its position was said to be “untenable” due to the Patton Group collapse.

Companies included in the administration are Joseph Hughes Painting Contractors Limited and JH Industrial Cleaning Services Limited.

Joint Administrator Stephen Cave said the group had “suffered growing cash flow difficulties” as a direct result of the downturn in the construction sector.

“A Company Voluntary Arrangement was already in place, but the collapse of Pattons has made the group’s position untenable and it can no longer continue to trade.

“We regret that we have this morning, advised the workforce that all 147 of staff will be made redundant, with immediate effect.”

Mr Cave described it as “another severe blow to the construction sector” and was particularly difficult for the workforce so close to Christmas.

The group’s businesses were established in 1977 and are based in Dunloy with offices in Belfast, collectively employing 147 staff, who provide specialist services, primarily to the construction sector.

Scores of subcontractors who carried out work for the 100-year-old Patton Group complained that they were owed money.

A group of them, who said they were owed about £17m by Patton, had asked the Stormont executive for a rescue package to help them.