BUILDER Dean Mayo has been left in the lurch after double glazing firm Bettaglaze shut down on Tuesday.

For the first time in his life the 40-year-old from Taw Hill had to sign on at the Jobcentre when he was left out of work after the Stratton firm went into administration last week.

The father-of-four said: “I know I will get work in the end but it’s so demoralising. I just feel so deflated.

“I have four children and one on the way and I’m out of work and can’t look after them.”

Some former workers are said to have found employment with rival firms, but others like Dean have been struggling to find new opportunities.

He said: “Normally I have always got work straight away, but so far I’ve had nothing. I have always had jobs but for the first time ever I have had to sign on.”

He added: “I was supposed to be given at least one week’s notice, but when I went into work on January 3 the owner just told me that it had gone into administration.

“He said I had been given my notice before Christmas but I hadn’t. On January 3 I waited for the owner for three hours.

“When he finally turned up I asked him when I was going to be going back to work and he said I had been given my notice by my manager. But my manager didn’t know anything about it.”

Despite the suddenness of the closure, Dean claims that the managers at the company knew two months ago that it would go bust.

He said: “It’s just disgusting. The owner knew in November that Bettaglaze was going to go into administration. He was taking money for jobs that he knew would never get done. They just don’t care about the customers.”

As well as many workers, the sudden closure has left many Swindon’s residents thousands of pounds out of pocket with work incomplete on their properties.

Other residents have complained that work has not been up to scratch, with conservatories leaking and the incorrect windows installed.

Dean has offered to help former customers by giving his labour for free to complete any outstanding work, provided that the relevant materials are already at their properties ready to be fitted.

Liquidators were said to be at the Bettaglaze site in Bramble Road on the Techno Industrial Estate last Tuesday and the phone lines have been disconnected.

The company used to supply and install replacement UPVC windows, doors and conservatories and was one of the only companies in the south west to offer double and triple-glazing services.

The Adver has been unable to contact the management of the company for comment.