Skip to content

Engineering firm closes with the loss of 130 jobs

Google A street view of the Chapel Bank Engineering building in Workington. It's a large white building with green windows. There's a road and car park in front of the building and a large hill behind it.Google
Chapel Bank Engineering had been trading under a number of different owners since 1939

An engineering firm has announced it is to close with the loss of 130 jobs.

Administrators Leonard Curtis have been appointed to Workington Engineering Limited, trading as Chapel Bank Engineering in Workington, Cumbria, after a failure to secure private investment.

The business on Curwen Road had been trading since 1939 under various ownership and names and offered heavy engineering services in the nuclear, oil, gas and steel sectors.

The administrators said they were working with various parties including the Unite union to ensure employees received all their entitlements.

The company, then TSP Engineering, was sold to Workington Engineering in September which was able to protect some contracts and was seeking private investment to help the business recover, the administrators said.

But the investment was not "forthcoming" and the company has had to cease trading, they said.

Workington MP Josh MacAlister said on social media the closure was a "devastating blow" and that he was working with the union to get employees into alternative suitable jobs as quickly as possible.

Iain Nairn, from Leonard Curtis, said directors at Workington Engineering had "no option" but to close the doors.

"It's a very sad day for everyone involved," he said.

"There have been big challenges in the last few years in the steel sector and the inability of the company to raise investment has caused its closure."

Workington job centre is holding an open day between 10:00 BST and 16:00 on Wednesday to support affected employees.

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.