THE Nythe Allotment Society suffered another delay after a firm supplying fencing for the grounds went bust.

For months, the community group has been working to secure land near the former Oakfield Bath University Campus and the Swindon Rugby Club, at Greenbridge, to build The Community Allotments.

Last month, work finally began on securing the plots.

Fencing costing £8,000 was due to be provided by Shrivenham-based HJ Webb & Son at a discounted rate to help the community group.

But on September 4, Bristol-based McArthur, HJ Webb & Son’s supplier, called in administrators and ceased trading, with only some of the fencing having been delivered.

Geraldine Brant, chairman of the Nythe Allotment Society, said: “At first the rest of the fencing was delayed. We were expecting it last weekend but they told us it would have to be this weekend.

“We had arranged for a lot of people to help to put it up, including offenders working with the Probation Service who were going to help the group as part of their punishment, and we’ve had to cancel that.

“It just means it will put us back again. We had hoped to have the fencing up in early September because it’s approaching the end of the season, and we already have a lot of tenants lined up wanting to use the site.

“I just feel sorry for HJ Webb & Son because I know we weren’t the only order.”

The society had paid around £6,000 to HJ Webb & Son for the fencing, but now McArthur has gone into administration there are fears that HJ Webb will have to foot extra costs to complete the order.

Jez Webb, a partner in the business, said: “We’ve been working with McArthur for more than 20 years and have several orders placed with them.

“When we heard the news I was just aghast.

“It won’t affect the Nythe Allotment Society, though, and we will make sure that their order is filled. We have had the majority of the fencing and we will make sure they get the rest as soon as we can.

“We just want to reassure our customers, including the Nythe Allotment Society, that all their orders will be completed for what they’ve been quoted, although it could be later than originally planned.

“We will have to find new suppliers, which might mean that we could be out of pocket, but we won’t be asking for any more than what’s already been quoted.

“It is very disappointing but it can’t be helped, that’s just the nature of business sometimes, unfortunately.”

McArthur – or MGL Distribution Ltd – has been going through difficult times in recent months and made 18 staff redundant several weeks ago as it restructured in a bid to survive.

Andrew Sheridan, partner at FRP Advisory and joint administrator to McArthur, said: “It goes without saying that it is sad and deeply regrettable for a business with such a long and successful trading heritage, with operations throughout the UK, to have to cease trading and close its doors.”