Bailiffs visit Dewsbury recycling firm Think3e

Think3e Kirklees Limited was given £100,000 by Kirklees Council in July 2010 to help with equipment costs and its first year’s rent.

But two weeks ago, bailiffs were called in by landlords Westex Carpets and seized any goods in the Calder Bank Road site.

Westex joint managing director John Shirt said Think3e had fallen into arrears.

He said: “Technically they are still our tenants but we’ve not heard anything from them.”

But Think3e Group managing director Marcus Baldry claimed Westex closed the site on January 19 without warning.

He said: “We feel extremely disappointed, especially as it came with no notice and following a significant recent payments to them.”

Mr Baldry said rent payments were delayed after Westex gave incorrect banking details.

He said the firm worked with the council for eight months to find another local site at a realistic cost, but none was found.

Another recycling company, Northwood Environmental, has stepped in to save the jobs of around 50 staff and apprentices.

Northwood managing director James Jennings said: “I was concerned that this group of skilled people was going to be laid off.”

Meanwhile, Kirklees Council said it had some worries about how central government funds it gave to Think3e were spent.

A spokeswoman said it was satisfied the ‘vast majority’ was allocated properly, but equipment bought for the Dewsbury site was temporarily moved elsewhere while noise issues were resolved.

She the council would take advice on whether further action was appropriate.

Mr Baldry said Think3e gave a full report to the council before the closure, and that he was refused a meeting with Kirklees officials.

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