Neil Murray Housebuilders closes doors amid cashflow pressures and supply issues
Turriff-based Neil Murray Housebuilders has entered liquidation, resulting in the loss of 20 jobs.
Following closely on the heels of the closure of Stewart Milne Group, the firm ceased trading in September last year.
Shona Campbell of Henderson Loggie was appointed provisional liquidator in September and then confirmed as liquidator on 17 December 2023.
Ms. Campbell noted: “The construction industry has been met with many challenges in recent years, not least the impact of Covid and lockdowns which led to delays, rising costs of materials, and supply issues.
“The business suffered cashflow pressures which became unsustainable and had effectively stopped trading prior to my appointment as liquidator in September last year.
“Since then, we have been working to realise assets and provide guidance and support to ensure former employees receive their full employment entitlements.”
The broader construction industry is grappling with soaring costs, as highlighted by figures from the National House Building Council (NHBC), which reported a 44% drop in new home registrations in the UK last year compared to 2022.
The challenges faced by Neil Murray Housebuilders were exacerbated by a series of events, including the theft of machinery, tools, and flooring worth over £10,000 from one of its building sites near Mill of Pitcaple in April 2022, The Press and Journal reports.