More than 250 workers at Middlesborough-based South Cleveland Garages were sent home without pay at the end of last week after the seven-outlet group’s bankers put it into administration under PricewaterhouseCoopers on 14 October.

Trading has ceased pending the outcome of any expressions of interest from potential buyers. An employee of the company, which had sales of around £60m per annum was convicted last year of stealing £823,000 from it last year.