Locked-out firm in axe fears
An engineering firm is facing closure after being locked out for failing to pay the rent. Bosses at Millwrights Ltd in West Bromwich claim the move came without warning.
They say they have been unable to get back in to collect tools, orders waiting to be delivered or pay roll details. Landlord Kirshan Sharma has said he is owed £10,208.30 and that he took legal advice before blocking access to the site in Claypits Lane with a van and an Audi A3. The firm, which supplies parts and builds stairlifts, has been there for 10 years.
Managing director Stephen Rolls, aged 57, who employs 15, said they had never had problems with arrears previously and thought they had an agreement in place until the entrance was blockaded.
Mr Rolls said the company had recently been forced to operate a four day week due to the current economic climate but they still had orders to fulfil and the enforced closure was causing difficulties for their customers. He also put Welded Assemblies, the welding arm of his firm, into receivership with the loss of six jobs.
He said staff arrived at work on Monday morning to find a van blocking the entrance while all the doors had also been locked.
"We are a bit behind in our rent arrears but we came in on Monday morning and were locked out. We can't get in to pay anyone's wages, collect tools or complete orders," he said.
"The people who work for the company can't even get their own possessions out.
"It is essentially destroying the business and threatening to put 20 people out of work.
"We are four months in arrears but that is only a few thousand pounds compared to the hundreds of thousands we've paid over the years.
Steve Jones, a spokesman for Mr Sharma, said: "The property is owned personally by Mr Sharma, a pensioner who relies on the rental income.
"Welded Assemblies have been paying £2,041.66 rent on a monthly basis but stopped paying in October and November.
"We locked them out on legal advice."
