THE collapse of one of the Island’s largest building contractors leaves Jersey with only a small number of local contractors with the resources to build large offices, housing developments and infrastructure projects.
Camerons, which stopped trading yesterday, had been a significant contractor for decades. Founded as Peter Cameron Ltd in 1954, the company was bought by the Guernsey-based Garenne Group in 1993.
The firm has built or refurbished a number of well-known landmarks, including the Co-op and Premier Inn building at Charing Cross, the Albert Pier apartments, Ogier’s headquarters on the Esplanade and IFC4 in the International Finance Centre.
Its sudden loss – along with more than 50 jobs – has been described as a ‘bitter blow’ for the local construction industry.
Camerons was the main contractor on two significant projects: Merchants Square in Bath Street and Cyril Le Marquand Court, an Andium Homes development between Phillips Street and Ann Street.
The Bath Street development, owned by Le Masurier, includes 149 apartments, a restaurant and a 122-bed Premier Inn hotel, while the Andium Homes scheme is for 165 apartments and four shops.
Both sites were closed yesterday, with workers – including sub-contractors – turning up as normal but unable to work as news broke that Camerons had ceased trading.
However, the Cyril Le Marquand Court site will be up and running today, with Andium quickly finding a replacement contractor in ROK.
Meanwhile, Le Masurier will have a newly appointed construction manager on site today, liaising with sub-contractors and planning a return to work.
Andium Homes chief executive Ian Gallichan said: ‘While this is disappointing, we are confident that the impact to our clients and the project will be minimal and managed effectively.
‘We are working closely with our new contractor to ensure the successful transfer and secure the continuity of this important project. We understand the concerns of Camerons’ former employees and sub-contractors on site and will be assisting ROK to ensure continuity of employment, for those who want it.’
Le Masurier said it was in early dialogue with a number of former Camerons staff ‘and may well offer roles going forward’.
In a statement, the company’s managing director, Brian McCarthy, said: ‘I would like to reassure purchasers, homeowners and sub-contractors that alternative arrangements are already in place, and construction will continue as planned with Le Masurier effectively stepping in directly to complete the development.
‘We are fully committed to see the development on Bath Street through to completion and have adequate funding and resourcing in place to achieve this.’
He added that there may be further delays with the project, which would be assessed in the coming days, with any such delay ‘clearly communicated’ to purchasers.
