'Relief' as Westlea employs redundant Rok employees

Eleven local tradesmen – made redundant when their employer, Rok, went into administration earlier this month – have secured jobs with Wiltshire-based Westlea Housing, part of the GreenSquare housing group.

Rok Building Limited had been contracted to carry out planned maintenance work for Westlea since 2007 but the company entered administration last week and has since made all its staff redundant.

"Ever since the news about Rok broke, our priority has been to try and keep our bathroom refurbishment programme on track – with as little disruption to Westlea Housing residents as possible," said Westlea's Asset Manager Christopher Davies.

"We can now announce that, as of Monday 22 November, eleven former Rok employees will be joining Westlea Housing and should have the programme back on site within days."

The eleven former Rok workers will join Westlea's maintenance and asset management team, which already employs around 50 trades staff.

"As well as being good news for those residents expecting bathroom refurbishments in the next few months, this is obviously good news and a real relief for the tradesmen concerned because they will not now be left jobless in the run-up to Christmas."

Westlea says it has now contacted all residents currently affected by the changed arrangements, and has arranged alternative contractors to complete work Rok had started – but any residents with queries should contact the Planned Maintenance Team on 01249 466125.