Accountants handling the administration of collapsed shipbuilding firm Ferguson have set a closing date for offers, after attracting “significant interest”.
Some 70 of workers at one of Scotland’s last commercial shipyards were told they had lost their jobs last week, amid a lack of orders and “increasing pressure” on cash flow.
Now joint administrators Blair Nimmo and Tony Friar, of KPMG, have revealed discussion with “several parties” which may offer the possibility of recommencing shipbuilding, ship repair and fabrication work on site.
The company said the duo would accept offers up to 5pm today before “taking some time” to consider approaches and select a preferred bidder.
“We have been encouraged by the level of initial interest in, and support shown for, Ferguson Shipbuilders and we sense there is a desire to see its heritage maintained,” Mr Nimmo said.
“By setting an early closing date we hope to establish whether it is possible to facilitate an early sale which may lead to the resumption of shipbuilding and ship repair activity at Port Glasgow in the short term.”
Among parties to have shown an interest are Sandy and James Easdale, the brothers behind Greenock-based McGill’s Buses.