A CHEPSTOW company who helped to set the stage for some of the greatest global performers will close next week at the loss of another 32 jobs in the town.

Station Road-based Architen Landrell will officially close next week and created sets for U2, Elton John, Madonna, Robbie Williams, The Who and the Rolling Stones.

Managing director Christopher Rowell told the Argus: “It is very, very sad but it is a sign of the times and the good old days are just a distant memory. It was not so long ago that we were doing some fantastic work, with all the employees really pulling together."

He added: “It was a very, very hard decision. We looked at every other option. But we knew however we dressed up the situation we had a problem with our finances.

“We took a very, very hard decision and went into voluntary liquidation.”

The company has won a “plethora of awards,” he said, but trading was no longer financially viable.

A project at the new National Performance Centre for Sport in Edinburgh which the company had worked on will be completed – but by sub-contractors and not Architen Landrell staff.

Mr Rowell said: “Our company is now no longer allowed to trade but I can hope people continue that work. It is the least I can do. I want to see the project complete.”