Penrith-based Cumbrian Homes brought its housebuilding operation to an end last Friday, with the loss of 17 jobs.
The business, which has been in operation for 49 years, had been due to be sold to a new owner, but the coronavirus pandemic brought negotiations to an end.
Cumbrian Homes was founded by Ken Pallister in 1971, under the name of Cumbrian Industrials Ltd.
It became one of the major construction companies in the North of England, embarking on both civil engineering and housebuilding projects, and employed up to 300 people.
In 2002, Cumbrian Homes became a separate company and Ken’s son, Nigel, took over the family business.
Nigel had joined the family firm after leaving school, before starting his own graphic design company, Digital Signs.
He sold this business after 15 years and rejoined the company as sales director for the homes division.
When Cumbrian Industrials was sold to Hanson Aggregates, he became managing director of the retained Cumbrian Homes part of the business.
Cumbrian Homes was responsible for many notable developments in the Eden area, including the award-winning Carleton Heights in Penrith.
Mr Pallister said: “I’d like to think we set a precedent for building the highest quality homes, listening to our customers and leading the way in building developments.
“We’ve had a fantastic time and built up and excellent team who we are sad to see go.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank all our customers, suppliers and valued staff, without whom none of this would have been possible.”
Warranties for Cumbrian Homes properties are still valid with the LABC or NHBC and while the company still owns some land, which it intends to sell off, no more houses will be built.
As another Cumbrian business buckled under the problems caused by coronavirus, commercial flights have come to an end at Carlisle airport, just a year after they began.
In a statement, the operators said the impact of coronavirus on the aviation industry had meant that contracts with airlines could not be secured at present and there would inevitably be redundancies.
Commercial flights were launched at the airport last year, with domestic flights to Belfast, Dublin and London Southend via Scottish airline Loganair, but suspended in March amid the coronavirus outbreak.
A statement issued by sister airport London Southend said: “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the aviation industry and Carlisle Lake District Airport (CLDA) has felt the full force of this.
“The understandable decision by many airlines to cease operations for several months has seen a significant reduction in operations and bases closed across the country.
“UK domestic aviation has been hard hit, particularly in view of the requirement to pay Airline Passenger Duty twice. This reduction in airline operations is likely to continue for some time, particularly as we approach the off-peak winter season.
“The situation, which affects many regional airports across the UK, is of course disappointing for all involved but as a result of this backdrop, CLDA is not currently in a position to secure a passenger airline agreement on commercial terms, with airlines currently focused on flights between major population hubs.
“The airport team is taking an innovative approach to identifying new opportunities in general aviation, business aviation, logistics and military flying.
“However, the loss of commercial operations is significant and without the associated operating income we need to review our staffing needs, which will inevitably lead to redundancies.
“We continue in our endeavours to gain fully funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes and Freeport status.
“Gaining PSO routes would support regional connectivity, enable key air links across the UK and help address economic rebalance. We are also playing a significant role in the region’s Freeport application and the combination of PSO routes and Freeport status would deliver a material boost to the region’s economy.
“We are committed to making Carlisle Lake District Airport a success and are currently working on our recovery plan to reopen the airport.”
