Jobs going at technology centre

An IT company has laid off 150 staff after going into administration.

Evesham Technology, which sells a range of computer equipment, says it was badly hit by the withdrawal of the Home Computer Initiative (HCI).

The government scrapped the scheme, which allowed employees to buy computers tax free, in the last budget.

Evesham chairman Richard Austin said it lost the firm £30m in revenue. The company has since had a £22m investment which allowed it to continue trading.

'Valuable staff'

Mr Austin, who started the company 24 years ago, said Tahir Mohsan of PCC Technology had invested in the company.

"Although we are all very sad we have to continue trading without valuable, long standing Evesham staff, we will continue to trade in the UK," he said.

Customers are advised they will continue to receive support from Evesham and that existing warranties would continue to be handled.

Another 130 staff are still employed at the company.

The firm went into administration on 3 August.