By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There are concerns about the future of a longstanding timber merchant in Gloucester.
A consultation has been underway with staff at Griggs Timber Company in Bristol Road.
The firm was originally founded in Loughborough in the 1870s by Joseph Griggs, who was the first mayor of the Leicestershire market town.
Griggs Timber Company opened for business at its current Gloucester site in 1917 and has operated out of there ever since.
The site was bought by its current owners Kellaway Building Supplies in 2013.
However, it is understood the Gloucester timber yard, which has around two dozen workers, could be closed down.
Redundancy talks are understood to have taken place with staff at the Bristol Road site and an announcement is due soon.
Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD), who represents the Hempsted and Westgate area at Gloucestershire County Council, said it is important to keep traditional companies going.
“My thoughts go out to those who may be made redundant,” she said.
“I hope the company is going to give them all the support they can.”
When asked whether Griggs would close next week, Jehona Roys, head of marketing at Kellaway Building Supplies, said “that is unknown yet”.
She did not confirm there would be job losses when asked but said staff were going through a consultation process.
“They are going through a consultation process but that doesn’t mean they are going to close,” she said.
“While the consultation process is on, we can’t give you any information.
“It’s a consultation about the business. There is not going to be any information at this point.
“Once the process is concluded, we will know more and comment.”