A building contractor who were refurbishing a community centre in Wishaw and converting it into a new school for children with additional support needs have called in the administrators.
There were signs last week that something wasn’t right at the site of new Bothwellpark School being built on the site of the Edward Lawson Centre – a glazing company that had fitted windows went back to premises and removed them.
Then workers trying to gain access to the construction site in Coltness Road found they were unable to get in. A portable cabin manned by security staff was also positioned at the entrance of the site.
Hadden Construction, whose headquarters are near Auchterarder in Perthshire, had been successful in gaining the £2.3million contract for the delivery of the new school.
The works consist of a complete refurbishment and reconfiguration along with the construction of a new entrance extension.
However, this week the company called in the administrators, citing increasing costs for materials and labour, as well as interruptions in the supply chain.
A message on the home page of Hadden Construction’s website states that the company has entered administration.
The Insider has reported that around 66 people are being made redundant at the company, which was founded in 1992.
In addition to the new ASN school in North Lanarkshire Hadden’s other current projects included the refurbishment of the University of Stirling’s Muirhead House.
Earlier this year Hadden completed the build of 31 new, modern homes for North Lanarkshire Council at Northburn Avenue and Northburn Place in Airdrie, at a cost of £5.8million.
Ben Cairns and Jonny Marston from Alvarez & Marsal were appointed as joint administrators.
“Like other contractors, Hadden Construction has been battling a number of headwinds in recent years, including inflated materials prices, rising labour costs and supply chain interruptions,” Ben Cairns said.
“As administrators, we will seek an orderly wind down of the operations and will welcome any investor interest in the company’s assets.
“We understand that today’s news is unsettling for the company’s employees and will be doing all we can to support them over the weeks ahead.”
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We understand that the Hadden Group has appointed administrators, and that the administrators are reviewing the company’s current projects.
“This includes the new Bothwellpark School being constructed on the site of the Edward Lawson Centre. We will discuss this with the administrators as soon as possible.
“We remain committed to providing an outstanding education experience for young people with additional support needs and will provide an update to parents, carers and staff as soon as we have clarity on the situation.”
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