Twenty-four employees of Fiennes Restoration Ltd, based in Lechlade, have been awarded compensation after the firm went into administration on 1 February 2023.

On the same day, its entire workforce was made redundant with immediate effect and with no period of consultation.

The company was founded by Will Fiennes in 1976. It specialised in restoring classic pre-war Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles and had an international reputation.

No attempts were made to appoint, inform or consult with appropriate representatives prior to making the employees redundant, as required by law.

As a result, in February 2024, the Employment Tribunal ruled in favour of the former employees, awarding them a 90-day protective award which is the maximum award permitted under this type of claim.

The group was represented by Omar Ghaffoor, a protective award specialist solicitor in the employment team at Leeds-based employment specialist law firm Morrish Solicitors.

Mr Ghaffoor commented: "It must have been an extremely worrying and stressful time for the former employees (and their families) at Fiennes when they were suddenly made redundant without any prior warning or consultation.

"Therefore, we are absolutely delighted to have been able to secure some additional weeks wages for these employees as a way of compensating them for the extra worry and stress caused due to the lack of notice and consultation which in my opinion could have been avoided."

Will Fiennes, original founder of the business, said: "I'd like to thank Omar Ghaffoor and his colleagues for dealing with the protective award claim relating to the insolvency of Fiennes Restoration Ltd.

"Throughout the process, in my opinion Morrish Solicitors has handled the procedure very professionally, and we have been kept well informed at every stage. This is evidenced by the successful outcome of the claim."

Former employee Adrian Day, who led the protective award claim, added: "My colleagues and I were made redundant with no sign of issues with the business and no consultation with the workers.

"After the company went into administration, I found there was the possibility of compensation and Morrish Solicitors confirmed they would take on the protective award claim.

"They carried out all the work necessary to take the case to the employment tribunal and I'd like to thank them for making a successful claim for compensation for me and 23 other workers of Fiennes Restoration."

Morrish Solicitors' employment law team has helped thousands of former employees of insolvent companies recover compensation, including high-profile cases against Thomas Cook, Phones4u and Citylink.