HARRY Fairclough Construction staff who lost their jobs after the firm went into administration are set to take legal action.

The historic Howley-based civil contracts specialist and builder collapsed suddenly earlier this month after 120 years, having first been founded in 1898.

Around 150 employees, based out of the Howley Lane headquarters and the company’s West Yorkshire office, were made redundant as a result.

And several former workers are now preparing to take legal action against Harry Fairclough Construction.

National law firm Simpson Millar says it has taken a number of calls over the issue and has begun investigations into the matter.

It hopes to secure a protective award on their behalf due to the company’s ‘failure to properly consult staff regarding the mass redundancies’.

Specialist employment law partner Stephen Pinder said: “This is, undoubtedly, an incredibly difficult time for those affected and many will be attempting to understand the news and plan their next steps.

“We have been contacted by former employees, who are looking to bring in claims for a protective award – which would be paid out to those affected by redundancies where they have not properly been consulted.”

Protective awards are payments given by an employment tribunal in cases where an employer fails to follow the correct procedures when making 20 or more redundancies.

They would be able to access these funds via the government’s insolvency service in the event of a victory in court.

A winding up order was made against Harry Fairclough Construction at Liverpool County Court on February 12.

Staff were informed of the company’s demise, which was blamed on ‘late and non-paying customers’, a week later.

The firm’s recent projects include a £1.5million lion enclosure at Chester Zoo, an extension to Blackpool Sixth Form College and work on the Aldham Robarts Library at Liverpool John Moores University.