FORMER employees of GHA Coaches who lost their jobs when it collapsed last month have contacted lawyers about making a possible group compensation claim.

More than 300 people were made redundant when Wrexham-based GHA Coaches ceased trading in mid-July.

Administrators were appointed after the business, which operated public and school bus services across Clywd, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Cheshire and Shropshire, received a winding-up petition over unpaid taxes.

Forty-eight individuals who had worked for GHA have now approached JMW Solicitors with a view to pursuing action against the firm for failing to consult with them before the redundancies.

Earlier this year, the firm won a similar group action on behalf of 340 staff at the parcel carrier City Link after it went out of business in December 2014.

Chloe Themistocleous, a solicitor in JMW’s Employment department, said she had already begun making enquiries to determine if the GHA personnel who have so far been in touch are entitled to up to 90 days’ pay for the company’s failure.

“In recent years, we have been involved with and succeeded in a number of such actions and it appears to be our considerable experience in this area which has prompted GHA staff to get in touch with us.

“Even though our work is at something of a preliminary stage, this process has quickly gained momentum in much the same way as other actions of its sort have done in the past and I would expect that colleagues of those who have already instructed us to represent them will also come on board.

“It is important to remember that whilst the closure of any business is distressing, there are statutory procedures which should be followed. When those are not observed, it is only right that employees who have lost their jobs should have redress.

“Depending on how this case progresses, it is possible that the individuals concerned could be entitled to several thousand pounds each.”

A spokesman for the administrators appointed to handle the affairs of GHA has announced the first in a series of online auctions of the company’s assets, including 200 buses and coaches.

Money from the first sale on Tuesday, August 30 and later auctions in October and November is expected to go towards paying GHA’s creditors.

Former GHA Coaches employees have until 5pm on Monday, October 3 to make their claim and should contact a dedicated team established by on 0345 872 6666 or email gha@jmw.co.uk