RECEIVERS are hoping to attract buyers for car dealership Chatfield Ford and Leek showroom Arthur Redfern after the collapse of both companies.

Some 270 people are employed across the two firms, which have a combined turnover of £60 million and debts of £12 million.

Chatfield Ford has a car showroom in Alsager, which has escaped job cuts introduced by London-based receivers Grant Thornton at the firm's operation in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

"We are still talking to potential purchasers for both Chatfield and Arthur Redfern,'' said Roy Welsby from the receivers.

"But to keep the business afloat we have had to carry out a review of staffing levels,'' he said.

"This review led to the decision to wind down the Newcastle operation and transfer the business to the Hanley site. Regrettably this has involved the loss of 32 jobs.''

The receivers are hoping to sell the business as a going concern, and safeguard as many jobs as possible in the process..

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