A LONG-STANDING city car dealership is to cease trading at the end of the day, the managing director has said.

The accountants were looking at the books at Bicknells Vauxhall off Cotswold Way, Blackpole, this morning and administrators are due to be appointed later in the day.

John Bicknell, managing director, who has guided the business for 11 years said: “We will cease trading.

“Administrators will be appointed later today. I won’t be taking any calls.”

He added it was for the administrators to answer any questions from customers and they would be making a formal statement later today.

Workers were only told about the administration when they turned up for work this morning.

However, suspicions were raised when staff were paid on Friday - their salaries were not due until the 27th of the month.

The wife of one staff member, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s obviously a shock. They were told this morning.”