AN historic Worcester building firm has closed its doors.

About 50 workers have lost their jobs after Spicers (Builders) Ltd ceased trading on Wednesday after more than 80 years in the city.

They were given the news in an emotional address by managing director Nick Weaver. He told them the company had effectively run out of work and was unable to finance its debts.

The company has instructed recovery and insolvency specialist Smith and Williamson to advise it on going into liquidation. Spicers has been in the city since 1929 and was originally based in Northwick Road, Worcester, before moving to Checketts Lane.

During its heyday in the 1960s, the company employed more than 120 people and was responsible for many of Worcester’s prominent buildings – the Worcester Porcelain Museum, Sansome Walk swimming pool and Brown’s restaurant.

Spicers also built Perdiswell and Nunnery Wood sports centre, the King’s School library and Worc-ester teachers training college.

Neil Hickling, director of insolvency at Smith and Williamson, said it was particularly sad that a company with a dedicated and skilled workforce and such a proud history in the county had found itself in this position.

His firm will investigate whether it can sell Spicers’ one outstanding contract to another contractor to recoup some money.

A meeting to share the results of the assessment with shareholders and creditors has been provisionally booked for Wednesday, November 24.