Employees at the company which operates across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire took to LinkedIn suddenly yesterday to express their interest in vacancies at other firms.

One stunned worker wrote: “Me and lots of other people have been hung out to dry today due to company ceasing trading.”

Another added: “After some disappointing news, I’m sad to write that I am currently looking for a new role.”

While another said: “Shocking news today. Plenty of good people got a kick in the teeth today.”

The family-owned business has been trading since 1946 and has places on a series of major public sector frameworks.

Latest accounts for Robert Woodhead Holdings Ltd for the year to October 31 2021 show a pre-tax profit of £535,000 from a turnover of £44.3m with the company employing 154 staff.