Diageo in talks with new contractors after Rok closures

Drinks giant Diageo has quickly moved to open discussions with new contractors after major development work was hit by the closure of failed construction firm Rok’s Scottish division.

Administrators at PricewaterhouseCoopers yesterday announced the closure of both the Scottish division and the maintenance and improvements division after failing to secure a buyer.

Diageo, which had contracted Rok to work on a number of projects including the construction of an £86m bottling plant in Leven, Fife and a £65m bio-energy plant at its Cameronbridge Distillery said its priority was to restart work at its sites as quickly as possible.

A spokesman said: “We been putting contingency plans in place and in light of the developments we have already begun preliminary discussions with potential new contractors to take on the work, subject to concluding the necessary processes with the administrator.”

He added: “We will progress this as a matter of urgency and recommence work as soon as possible.”

Building yesterday reported that all of Rok was likely to shut after administrators failed to force a sale of the whole business. A decision on the fate of the remaining social housing business is expected to be announced imminently.