Historic building contractor in administration
A historic, Royal Warrant-holding chartered building contractor which was established in Norfolk more than 90 years ago is being marketed for sale after entering administration with job losses.
W.S. Lusher & Son Ltd was founded in 1924 by William Slaymaker Lusher at his home in Sprowston, Norwich. Ten years later, the business moved to its current location in School Lane, on the site of a disused brickmaking yard.
The company operates principally in the specialist property restoration and improvement market and has held a Royal Warrant for its work at Sandringham House since 1978. It has annual turnover approaching £3.8m and currently operates from a two-acre leased site in north Norwich.
The family-owned business was placed in administration on 5 August 2016 under the care of business rescue specialist McTear Williams & Wood.
According to partner Andrew McTear, trading losses accrued in recent years put strain on the company and a sale of the yard to recapitalise the business proved impossible in time.
Since the appointment, 24 redundancies have been made. The company employed a total of 41 staff, including 32 site operatives and nine people in the office.
Director Mark Lusher, who has been at the helm of the business for the last 30 years, said: "We have given everything we’ve got to make it work, but we've been up against too many factors. We very much hope that a potential buyer may see a business opportunity."