HUNDREDS of jobs have been saved thanks to emergency measures to take on contracts from Daniel Contractors, which employs 250 people in Colwyn Bay, after the firm entered administration yesterday. D?r Cymru Welsh Water, who has had a long working relationship with Daniels, has unveiled emergency measures to temporarily secure the jobs of about 400 workers across Wales.

Enterprise Utility Services will step in for Daniel Contractors to undertake its contracts and arrangements with Dwr Cymru.

A Daniel spokesperson said: "We are very grateful for the commitment that local Daniel’s staff have shown by continuing to deliver day to day service whilst the company has been in such difficulties."

Enterprise will hold briefing sessions alongside administrators Deloitte with Daniels staff across the region today, Thursday, May 18. 

Accountancy firm Deloitte appointed administrators Bill Dawson and Dan Butters to take over the Warrington-based firm and its subsidiary Land Marine Project Engineering Limited. Richard Hawes, regional Deloitte Restructuring practice partner said: “We are in discussions with the key stakeholders and interested parties of the group in an attempt to sell all or parts of the businesses and we will be briefing the employees about the situation.” Daniel Cotractors works in the construction and civil engineering industry and employs about 1,300 people nationwide. The administrators intend to continue dealing with two of Daniel's three main contracts, with a view to transfer of the business and employees.   A transfer of these contracts would safeguard 990 jobs and ensure that these contracts are able to continue to operate with minimal interruption.
Old Colwyn Cllr Cheryl Carlisle said any job losses would be a huge blow for the Colwyn Bay area.

She added: “There’s a big concentration of people from this area who will be affected, and it really is terrible news for these hard working men.

“It will impact a huge amount of people so I hope the jobs can be saved.”

Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said: “The firm provides high skilled and well paid jobs to many of my constituents and it’s loss would be devastating to them, their families and the wider community.

“Staff have had to contend with significant uncertainty over recent weeks, so this week’s news will be a huge relief for many families in Conwy and Denbighshire.

"The loss of these jobs would have been a massive blow to the area. I am therefore absolutely delighted that they have been safeguarded and commend Dwr Cymru for their swift action in dealing with this situation.”