Jobs go as West Bromwich signs firm is closed

A sign making firm has shut down with about 40 workers made redundant.

WR Advertising Limited, based in Black Lake, West Bromwich, has been operating for more than 50 years, erecting signs for major homes firms including Taylor Wimpey and Redrow.

But staff turned up to work on Thursday to discover the padlocks to the premises had been changed.

Everyone was given a letter saying their employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Keith Jones, who has worked at the firm for the past 11 years, said: "Everyone was gob-smacked. There are people who have worked there 30 years - they went there straight from school."

The company is now in the hands of Birmingham-based insolvency firm Butcher Woods, which has been approached to make the necessary steps to put the company in liquidation.

A statement from Butcher Woods said: "It's very early in the process but I can confirm WR Advertising Limited has ceased trading and all the employees have been made redundant. We are in the process of preparing for a meeting on July 4 to place the company in liquidation."