MAJOR council building projects have been delayed and 67 people have lost their jobs after the collapse of a Bolton construction firm.

The Bolton News reported how Blakeley Tonge and Partner, in Lever Bridge Mills, Darcy Lever, had gone into administration.

The firm was working on several projects for Bolton Council which The Bolton News understands included the conversion of Farnworth Town Hall into council offices and work on Wilfred Geere House dementia care home in Highfield Road, Farnworth.

Work stalled after the collapse but Bolton Council said it was working with the firm’s administrators RSM Tenon to determine the best way forward.

Farnworth councillor, Noel Spencer, who is also the life president of social landlord Bolton at Home — which had employed Blakeley Tonge and Partner in the past — said work on the town hall was “90 per cent complete” and that the council would either finish the job itself or employ a new contractor.

The council said it anticipated the work would be finished at no extra cost.

Cllr Spencer said: “I’ve been familiar with the firm not only with the council but with Bolton at Home over the past decade or more. It’s sad to see the demise of a local company. Farnworth Town Hall was very close to completion and it’s just the snagging that needs doing.”

A council spokesman added: “The contract administrator is producing a schedule of works to complete the project. It is anticipated these works will be funded from within the original project budget without any additional costs to the council.”

A spokeswoman for administrators RSM Tenon said all but four of the firm’s 71 staff had been laid off. She added: “Unfortunately the administrators had to make all staff redundant with the exception of four employees who were retained in order to assist RSM Tenon with matters relating to the administration.”

The Bolton News has also been contacted by a number of sub-contractors angered at the collapse of the firm, claiming they are still owed money.

The spokeswoman added: “Subcontractors have since been written to by RSM Tenon with details of what they need to do in order to pursue a claim for monies owed for work completed.

“If they require any further information they should contact Steven Colclough on 0161 834 3313.”