A FAMILY firm has gone into administration after trading for 150 years.

CF Anderson Timber Products, in Old London Road, Marks Tey, closed suddenly with the loss of 27 jobs.

It sold timber in the UK and overseas as well as worktops, flooring and decorative products.

London-based BDO Insolvency was called in to confirm the administration on April 17.

A spokesman said: “The company ceased to trade with immediate effect and, regrettably, it has been necessary to effect the redundancies of all 27 employees.”

David Gilbert, BDO’s business restructuring partner, said: “CF Anderson Timber Products had a long history, but unfortunately a decline in sales and difficult trading conditions have significantly affected the business.

“The joint administrators are taking all necessary steps to mitigate losses to customers and, going forward, will seek to maximise recoveries for the benefit of all creditors.”

The Gazette tried to contact CF Anderson for comment, but it was unavailable.

Latest details of CF Anderson Timber Products have not been registered on the Companies House website. However, companycheck.

co.uk claimed the company had a net worth of minus £2.9million in the financial year ending in March 2014.

David Burch, director of policy at Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: “It is very sad when a company does go into administration and one that has been established for such a long time.

“We hope the administrators will be able to rescue the company as a whole or possibly parts of it, so something can continue and jobs can be saved.”

CF Anderson marked 150 years in business in 2013.

It was started in by Charles Frederick Anderson in 1863 who had set up business as a timber merchant in Islington.