THE sale of a Furness glass-making firm that has supplied gifts for royalty could be secured by the end of the week.

Cumbria Crystal, in Ulverston, went into formal liquidation on Tuesday.

An offer has been made on the business and receiver Julian Pitts is confident a sale will be agreed by the end of the week.

Mr Pitts would not disclose the identity of the buyer. Last week The Westmorland Gazette reported there had been "significant" interest in the business including a possible buy-out by staff.

Mr Pitts said: "We are also in discussions with a couple of interested parties and we are quite confident we will secure a sale by the end of the week."

Receivers, Wilson Pitts, were called in about three weeks ago by the managing director of the glass firm, Ian Dillon, because the business was experiencing financial difficulties.

The problems are being blamed on a reduction in orders and the shattering affects of foot-and-mouth, which saw a large reduction in tourist numbers in the area.

Two thirds of the 21 staff was made redundant more than two weeks ago when the production of glass ceased. Mr Pitts said the seven retail staff had been kept on as the firm's shop, which sells high-quality tableware including glasses, decanters and jugs, remained open.

"We anticipate that if a sale is agreed the new owner will reemploy most if not all of the staff."

The glass-making firm is the largest supplier of crystal to British embassies and provided wedding gifts for the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

May 23, 2003 09:30