MORE than 30 workers have lost their jobs after the collapse of one of a town's oldest businesses.

Directors at wire-maker John Pring & Son in Sandbach called employees in for a meeting last week and told them they were being made redundant.

It casts doubt on the future of a name that has been connected with Sandbach for more than 170 years.

Pring was founded in 1834 and has traded from Elworth Wire Mills, Elworth, ever since.

It is uncertain if the historic firm has gone into liquidation, which would see the business broken up and sold, or whether administrators are still trying to save the company.

Staff have not been paid since production stopped at the plant two months ago.

One John Pring & Son worker, who did not want to be named, told The Sentinel he was mounting up debt, while others were struggling to make mortgage payments.

He said the situation had been complicated until last week because staff could not claim benefits as they were still officially employed by the company.

Talking after the meeting with company directors, the employee said: "We were all made redundant and told we would be getting our P45s over the next few days.

"The letter just told us we were losing our jobs and that the company's affairs were being dealt with through Armstrong Watson, an insolvency practitioner from Leeds.

"I don't know what to think at the moment.

"We were expecting it, but it's just been going on for so long.

"At least now we can start claiming for benefits and look for a new job and try to move on."

Union leaders are angry at the length of time wages were withheld.

The Community trade union, which has members at John Pring, stepped in with financial help for workers.

Tom Blenkinsop, branch development officer at the union, said employees would now be able to claim redundancy payments, owed wages and holiday entitlements.

Mr Blenkinsop said: "Thankfully this has been resolved and members can now start claiming wages and the redundancy owed, and start moving on with their lives."

About 35 people worked at the Station Road site.

The managing director at John Pring is Stephen Longbottom, who is also a director at Bradford City Football Club.

No-one from the company was available for comment.

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