NEARLY 90 people have lost their jobs in the run-up to Christmas after a long-established, family construction firm went bust.

Corbridge-based Joyce Construction and Civils Ltd called in the administrators from FRP Advisory on December 3, ending the company’s involvement in the North-East which stretched back to 1948.

Since being established 70 years ago by Tommy Joyce, the firm had worked on major projects across the North-East, including the redevelopment of Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, the Akzo Nobel site in Ashington and the Testo’s roundabout in Boldon, Sunderland.

It had also lined up work closer to home and was planning to create a disabled access ramp at Corbridge railway station as part of a nearby housing development, and a new bridge over the Devil’s Water at Dilston.

Originally based in Corbridge industrial estate, Tinklers Yard, the company moved to larger premises at the former Dilston Sawmill site in 2012, which saw the workforce increase from 30 to a total of 86 members of staff.

It was reported that most of the staff had subsequently found alternative employment.

A message read: “The joint administrators act as agents of the company and without personal liability. The affairs, business and property of the company are being managed by Antonya Allison, Gordon Smythe Goldie and Andrew David Haslam, who were appointed joint administrators on December 3, 2019.”

Joyce Construction and Civils Ltd was contacted for comment.