500 jobs go at WJ Harte construction firm

Business advisers PKF have been appointed joint interim managers of both WJ Harte and RJT Pennant. All 720 staff have been sent home but more than 200 of them will be recalled to complete work on the order book

The firm blamed the downturn in the building trade which cut its turnover by more than half and bad debts from financially-troubled client firms.

Anne Buchanan, corporate recovery partner with PKF, said: "Harte Group is a long-established, highly-regarded firm servicing the construction industry. The firm has experienced a severe reduction in turnover over the last few years as well as considerable levels of bad debt from creditors who themselves have gone bust. Despite shedding jobs over the last few years to cope with this decline in turnover the firm is now unable to continue trading."