RECEIVERS have saved the jobs of staff at a Ford dealership In Alsager after agreeing the sale of the business

Grant Thornton were appointed two weeks ago to Chatfield (Stoke) and Arthur Redfern after the collapse of the company.

Some 24 jobs at the Ford dealerships in Alsager and Leek have been saved after the receivers accepted an offer on both as going concerns.

However the receivers have been unable to agree a sale of the business at its Hanley site, and the decision has been taken to close the business and sell its assets, with the loss of 150 jobs.

"We are pleased that the future of the Ford dealerships in Alsager and Leek look secure,'' said Roy Welsby, corporate recovery partner at Grant Thornton.

"We have also worked closely with the directors, and the subsequently appointed liquidator, in the successful sale of Parton's Iveco truck dealership, of which Chatfield is the parent company, saving a further 51 jobs.

"The decision to close the business at the Hanley site is one which we made every effort to avoid, and although we had lengthy discussions with a potential buyer a satisfactory conclusion for all parties could not be reached.''

Details of the deal preserving the 24 jobs will be released in the next few days.

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