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Government-backed Griffin Place Communications in liquidation Government-backed Griffin Place Communications in liquidation
(about 4 hours later)
A call centre in Torfaen which received £600,000 funding from the Welsh government has gone into liquidation.A call centre in Torfaen which received £600,000 funding from the Welsh government has gone into liquidation.
Griffin Place Communications Limited, in Llantarnam, Cwmbran, employed up to 140 people, with many staff claiming they were sacked days before.Griffin Place Communications Limited, in Llantarnam, Cwmbran, employed up to 140 people, with many staff claiming they were sacked days before.
Torfaen council confirmed it will be contacting clients employed by the company, while the Welsh government said it would seek formal discussions. Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle said the Welsh government has "serious questions to answer", while Welsh government said it would be reviewing the situation.
Attempts have been made to contact the company for comment.Attempts have been made to contact the company for comment.
On Friday, employees arrived at the Llantarnam offices to find the rooms empty and the doors locked.On Friday, employees arrived at the Llantarnam offices to find the rooms empty and the doors locked.
The company has notified some workers that it has commenced liquidation proceedings and many of those have claimed they are owed thousands of pounds in wages.The company has notified some workers that it has commenced liquidation proceedings and many of those have claimed they are owed thousands of pounds in wages.
A letter to employees from insolvency firm Finn Associates advised there will be a meeting of creditors on 13 August.A letter to employees from insolvency firm Finn Associates advised there will be a meeting of creditors on 13 August.
Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle has arranged a public meeting for former workers on Monday at Mount Pleasant Hall in Pontnewydd. Ms Neagle has arranged a public meeting for former workers on Monday at Mount Pleasant Hall in Pontnewydd.
A council spokesperson said: "We referred 12 clients to Griffin Place Communications as part of the UK government's Work Programme, which aims to get the unemployed into work, and seven are still employed by the company. "The immediate priority now has got to be to try and support the many staff who have been devastated by this news," she said.
"We are in the process of contacting our clients to find out if they have been affected and how we may be able to help." Shadow Economy Minister William Graham said Welsh taxpayers "will rightly question" whether Welsh government's investment in the project represented value for money.
A Welsh government spokesperson confirmed it had not been formally approached by the company but is seeking formal discussions "at the earliest opportunity". Torfaen council confirmed it will be contacting seven clients employed by the company as part of the UK government's Work Programme.
According to the Welsh government, support provided to the company stipulated jobs should be in place for at least three years.
"We will, with immediate effect, be seeking repayment of relevant grant sums," the spokesperson added.
"We have also mobilised the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, who can signpost affected staff to potential new job opportunities, and we will keep the situation under review."