A West Cumbrian engineering firm has announced it is closing, with the loss of around 150 jobs.
Chapel Bank Engineering in Workington, currently owned by Workington Engineering Ltd, was originally set up in 1945.
The firm offers services across sectors including defence, nuclear, oil and gas, renewables, steelmaking and construction.
It is understood that workers were told today that the firm was closing – and Cumbria Crack has been told that it shut its doors for final time at noon, although that has not been confirmed.
No-one from Chapel Bank Engineering was available for comment.
The number of employees has been reported as being between 140 and 160, but in April, the firm was reported as being relieved that the Government had intervened into British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant and said it had saved 150 jobs.
British Steel was a client of Chapel Bank Engineering for its sites in Scunthorpe, Port Talbot and Sheffield.
He said: “I know full-tine union officials and our MP have been involved, however plenty of effort has been put in to save British Steel in Scunthorpe – let’s see the same effort in Workington.
“I also call on Sellafield to not reject Chapel Bank in its hour of need. All of the fantastic work done in the past for Sellafield, including Magnox flasks, can be repeated in the future.
“West Cumbria needs Chapel Bank. I call on Sellafield to step up to the plate. With actions and money, they can do it to give Chapel Bank a lifeline and a future.
The business has had a number of owners over the years.
It traces its history back to the Distington Hematite Company in 1939, then the Distington Engineering Company in 1945. It was then Cumbria Engineering in 1979, then British Steel Engineering in 1992.
In 2000, it became Corus Process Engineering, in 2010 Tata Steel Projects, in 2016 it was known as British Steel Ltd and was TSP Engineering from 2017 to 2024.
It became part of the GMET Technical Services group last September in a rescue deal for the Curwen Road site.
It was formerly TSP Engineering, which was bought by Chinese firm Jinge Steel in 2020, which then placed it into administration.
It was then bought by family-owned GMET Engineering, based in Silecroft.
It traded under the name TSP Engineering and one of its directors was Robert Mawson.
Last year, the firm said it had faced tough market conditions, leading to increased financial pressure and debt.
A petition to wind up the company was published on August 2.
In September, administrators Leonard Curtis said the plant’s jobs had been saved after a sale to Workington Engineering.
Set up in 2019 and known as Red Squirrel Developments Ltd until this year, Companies House lists four directors of Workington Engineering – one of whom is Robert Mawson. Simon Mawson is also a director.
Director John Hancock resigned yesterday, Thursday June 5.
Leonard Curtis said at the time: “The deal protects all 160 jobs and ensures that customer contracts underway and planned can continue to be delivered without any delays.”
At the time, a spokesman for TSP Engineering Limited said: “As difficult as the last few weeks have been, we are now in a position to move forward on a positive footing.
“The support from Leonard Curtis has allowed us to protect value for creditors and ensure that we can keep our excellent team employed into the future. Having done that, we have raised capital to support the growth of the company over the coming years.
“We hope that further investment will be forthcoming from both public and private sources, allowing us to continue to play a significant role in the local area and take advantage of excellent opportunities in the market locally, nationally and internationally.”
Support for workforce
Josh MacAlister, Whitehaven & Workington MP said he had been working with the union to get support in place for the affected staff.
A drop-in session will be held at Workington JobCentre on Wednesday between 10am and 4pm with a range of employers.
Mr MacAlister added that he was also speaking to Lakes College at Lillyhall to make sure the firm’s 20 apprentices were supported.
Forth Engineering, based at Flimby, said it was also recruiting and wanted to hear from people employed by Chapel Bank Engineering.
