NEARLY all of Bramall Contracts headquarters staff have been told they are to be made redundant on the Friday before Christmas.

A former employee told Fleet NewsNet that around 30 staff had been told that with the exception of salespeople, all were to be made redundant and the Harrogate office would close on December 23.

The management of the 7,500-strong fleet is expected to be moved to parent company Pendragon’s Derby base, although as yet it is unclear whether the Bramall Contracts brand will survive.

Pendragon took control of the firm last year when it acquired CD Bramall plc. A source said: ‘Staff are shocked that this is happening to a company that is not only highly profitable but has a long track record of service delivery with a strong customer base.

‘Apparently, Pendragon has declined takeover approaches for Bramall Contracts in recent months. It appears that it wants to run the profitable leasing book.

‘Neal Francis just announced that Bramall is doing very well and profits are up, but now the staff are all going to be redundant.’

Fleet NewsNet contacted Neal Francis, general manager of Pendragon and Bramall, but he declined to comment.

Bramall Contracts came into being in 1999 when CD Bramall plc bought Albany Lease of Liverpool and integrated it with Sanderson Leasing and BMG Contracts.

Pendragon plc was formerly part of Williams plc and was de-merged in 1989 when it operated 19 specialist and luxury vehicle dealerships. Since then, it has expanded and now represents more than 29 brands from 250 dealerships in the UK, US and Germany.