THE threat of 250 jobs being lost as Mortons Rolls teeters on the brink of collapse is a blow Drumchapel 'cannot afford', local councillors said today.

Drumchapel and Anniesland Labour elected members Paul Carey and Patricia Ferguson have urged directors to secure the future of staff by selling the firm as a going concern if they aren't in a position to restart production.

They have also penned a letter to City Chambers bosses in a bid to ensure everything is being done to support those whose livelihoods are on the line.

Bosses at the bakery sent a letter to staff on Friday saying that they were being 'laid off with immediate effect' - but workers say they have been left in limbo with no contact since.

Councillor Carey told the Glasgow Times that the closure of the plant would be a crippling blow to the area.

He said: “The way staff have been treated is utterly appalling and our ward cannot afford job losses like this. It’s a massive hammer blow to Drumchapel and we want the bosses to come to the table and find a solution as soon as possible.

“Decent, hardworking folk have been left in complete limbo with no idea of how they are going to meet their mortgage payments. 

"We need quick and decisive action, as well as transparency about what’s going on behind the factory gates and insight into exactly why the business has ceased trading.

“This is causing a huge amount of distress and upset for those involved and we are determined to do everything in our power to help them.

“We want to see a plan to secure the future of staff and start production as soon as possible so that management can try to sell the business as a going concern if need be."

Glasgow Times: Cllr Paul Carey and Cllr Patricia FergusonCllr Paul Carey and Cllr Patricia Ferguson (Image: Supplied)

We previously told how Companies House said on its website that there is an "active proposal to strike off" the firm, whose accounts for the year to March 31, 2022 were required to be filed by December 31 - and are now more than nine weeks late.

READ MORE: Glasgow cafe owner speaks out after Mortons Rolls collapses

The Glasgow Times has viewed the letter which was sent to staff on Friday.

It said: "The company is ceasing to trade with immediate effect. The directors have taken steps to ensure that the business can continue in some form, but it is likely that this will be with a reduced workforce across the business."

The Mortons Rolls factory remains lifeless today, with a number of delivery vans parked behind locked gates.

Glasgow Times:

Councillor Ferguson says that the factory has been an important employer in the area since 1965.

She added: “People need answers and have a right to know what’s happening with their employment.

“Our hope is that, with the right support, they might be able to continue to operate or for a potential buyer to take over this significant operation. We are doing everything in our power to ensure the situation can be salvaged.”

READ MORE: Mortons Rolls in Glasgow leaves staff 'in the dark' about future

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken is also working hard to rescue the jobs.

She said: "I've been updated by the council team who are working with national agencies to mobilise support for the Mortons' workforce. Our number one priority is to support those facing redundancy into new jobs as quickly as possible and minimise any disruption to household incomes."

The Scottish Government’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) advisors are also available to talk to staff about their rights and entitlement.

For the year to the end of March 2021, the company reported a loss of £262,000 on a turnover of more than £11.8m.

Mortons Rolls has been approached by the Glasgow Times for comment but our calls and emails to the company have so far gone unanswered.