THE signs have been removed and liquidators have been appointed to deal with the winding-up of a construction firm in Barrow.

A B Mitchell Developments, based in Roose Road, went into liquidation after the firm's agreement with Barrow Borough Council finished. The signs have now been removed from the offices and liquidators have been officially appointed.

As many as 40 jobs have been lost as a result with many former employees now finding themselves out of pocket and owed unpaid wages.

The council contract was worth a considerable sum to the firm, and represented 90 per cent of its work, with the council's monthly expenditure revealing the authority has paid as much as £118,087 to A B Mitchell in one month.

A B Mitchell Developments has two outstanding charges (creditors) - a mortgage with HSBC on the retail premises occupied by The Works in Dalton Road and one charge with Ultimate Invoice Finance Ltd.

Liquidators will attempt to reimburse any creditors owed money by the company, with banks and lenders paid ahead of any staff.

All staff who worked for A B Mitchell have been sent letters outlining how they can apply to a government scheme to recoup unpaid wages and any redundancy payment they might be due.

A B Mitchell was set up in 2005 by Kendal-based builder Andrew Mitchell.

According to documents filed with Companies House, Mr Mitchell and Kerry Thornburrow, both of Bank Foot in Kendal, resigned as directors of A B Mitchell Developments on January 13, 2016.

On the same date, Jacqueline Webster and David Nichols, who live in Lancaster, were appointed as directors.