Print firm and garage jobs axed

Administrators called in by Littlehampton-based Fencourt Printers made the 23-strong workforce redundant on Tuesday, and at Angmering, 10 jobs are to go with the closure of the Texaco garage next to the busy A259.

Staff at the Riverside industrial estate printing firm were given their redundancy notices at a meeting held by administrators from accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Yesterday (Wednesday) morning, Texaco confirmed the closure of its Angmering service station, and said the "substantial investment" needed to modernise the site meant it was no longer viable.

Both announcements are against a background of continuing uncertainty in the economy nationally and locally '“ more jobs were lost in February when Littlehampton's High Street Somerfield supermarket closed, and traders' leaders in the town have warned that business has taken a downward turn since then.

Directors at Fencourt Printers called in the administrators following the withdrawal of financial support by parent company McCorquodales, and a major customer.

Joint administrator David Chubb said that although the workers had been made redundant, it was possible some might be taken back on if a buyer was found for the business.

Talks were continuing with potential purchasers, he added.

Mr Chubb and colleague Mike Jervis were appointed joint administrators on Monday, when they suspended trading and sent the workers home.

After Tuesday's staff meeting, Mr Chubb paid tribute to the staff's attitude. "The people there are realistic and good people to be involved with. They understood the situation.

Clearly, it is disappointing, but they realise that if the work is not there, and there is not the business to bring in the money, you can't keep the jobs on.

"There is something to be saved from the business. There are assets we hope can be realised, but also creditors facing losses. At this stage it is not possible to put a figure on those losses."

Mr Dunn said the downturn in the advertising industry could well have affected Fencourt's business, along with the trend among many larger companies to bring their printing in-house, helped by advances in new technology.

Texaco's Angmering service station will close on June 10. The fuel giant said the site would be sold "for alternative use".

Jeb Lovelock, Texaco area manager, said: "We would like to thank our staff and customers for their support over the past few years. The difficult decision to close the site was not one taken lightly and we are sorry for those directly affected by its closure.

"Ten people are currently employed at the site and as part of the employee consultation process, we are doing everything we can to help them to find alternative employment opportunities."

Wendy Gostock, a customer of the service station, and a former Angmering parish councillor, criticised the closure. "I can't understand the logic of it. The service station and shop are always busy, at all times of day and night.

"It's just the loss of another local amenity, which is a great shame. The only possible reason for such a thriving business closing must be that they can make more money by selling it to developers."

Last month, Texaco announced it was selling its own service stations to supermarket chain Somerfield and would concentrate on supplying its network of 1,100 independent fuel retailers.

Texaco closed its Arundel service station last year and flats are now being built on the site.