Anglesey: Orthios eco park workers told jobs lost at 'last minute'

The company had promised to bring 500 permanent jobs and a further 1,200 during construction

Workers at a £1bn eco park fear they will be unable to pay their bills after being told "at the last minute" it had gone into administration.

Orthios, based at the former Anglesey Aluminium site, confirmed their main private investor had put the firm into administration on Tuesday.

Some workers told BBC Wales they were told just before their shifts they were "all going to be laid off".

In a statement the firm said it was "shocked and dismayed" by the decision.

Begbies Traynor, appointed as administrators, said while they understood the news had been a "big shock" for workers, there was no money to pay the 140 staff their wages.

An Orthios spokesperson said the company believed it had agreed terms with its main investor last week for a management buy out, including releasing funds to cover staff pay.

However they said "for reasons we do not yet fully understand, the situation changed with little forewarning yesterday".

"Further negotiations are now taking place and we very much hope to achieve a positive outcome," they added.

Elwyn Birchall, who started working at Orthios in November 2021, said he was told there was no work as he arrived for his shift

On Wednesday, workers gathered outside the gates of the Holyhead park told BBC Radio Wales: "We don't want this to go away - we need help."

Elwyn Birchall, who started working at the site in November 2021, said he got a message at 16:00 BST as he arrived for his shift that there was "no work today or tomorrow and that the company was in liquidation".

"They said everyone has lost their jobs. I was angry, there have been rumours about bad news for a month so it has set in slowly," he said.

"I'm lucky I haven't got kids, responsibility or a mortgage, but some of the lads they have. We were supposed to get paid tomorrow but we've been told that we won't get paid.

"We will have to claim it and it takes time."

Lisa Brown said everyone was really angry and workers felt they had been lied to

Lisa Brown said she had seen "red flags" about a month ago, but workers had been promised they would get paid.

"That changed yesterday... we got thrown off site and told we wouldn't be paid and that there were no jobs," she said.

"It's a shock more than anything, the lies, we should have been told the truth, we could have prepared.

"The way they've treated us, it's terrible. Children, mortgages, bills, with everything going up, it's hard."

Gwilym Parry left his job at RAF Anglesey to work at the site

Gwilym Parry said he had left his job at RAF Anglesey to work at the site, after being "promised good new jobs".

"I wanted to be part of something new on the island...I'm disappointed, everyone has given so much to this place.

"A lot of people depend on this money every month. They promised they would pay our salaries, but it looks like that won't be happening now. It will be weeks before we get any money. It's disheartening."

'We have bills to pay'

Carl Thomas, who worked at the site, said staff had been told new investors may take over, but he was told 10 minutes before his shift they were all going to lose their jobs.

"My colleagues are very upset, angry and they just want answers, they've got mortgages coming out tomorrow, bills to pay and families to feed," he said.

Anglesey council said the announcement came days before Orthios workers were due to be paid.

Christian Branch, from Anglesey council, said the situation would "only add to the worries and concerns of families who are already facing a cost of living crisis".

"It is critical that all partners collaborate to minimise the impact of redundancies, including other employment and retraining opportunities."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the eco park earlier this year

Asher Miller, from Begbies Traynor, said administrators were in the process of telling the 140 staff how to claim money they were due to be paid from a government fund.

He added that the company ceased trading weeks ago, but a buyer could resume trading at the site.

"We can't keep a workforce on with no money...regrettably we had to tell the staff not to come in. I am conscious that's a big shock. It's not lost on me that this is people's livelihoods here," he said.

Member of the Senedd for Ynys Mon, Rhun ap Iorwerth has written to the company and the Welsh government to seek reassurances and help for workers.

On Tuesday, as the news broke, Ynys Mon MP Virginia Crosbie said she feared 120 staff may have lost their jobs.

"My understanding is there is some hope for a management buyout and all creditors will be paid but we will have to see how that develops," she said.

"The company was exciting and innovative - it has invested heavily in its skilled workforce, but ultimately it appears it has been let down by its funders.

"I have spoken with the management team who have assured me that they are doing everything they can to complete the buyout, pay creditors and secure some form of future for the business," she added.

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