The future of 100 jobs at a well-known Gloucestershire construction company are in doubt after it has called in administrators.

Tewkesbury-based JP Group Ltd, which reported a turnover of around £11 million last year, has appointed joint administrators from accountants Grant Thornton.

The business has suffered in recent years due to the reduced investment projects among its major customers such as BP, Shell, Tesco and Morrisons, as well as from the general downturn in commercial property investment.

Joint administrators Nigel Morrison and James Stares are currently looking at the viability of the company’s existing contracts with a view to maintaining a reduced workforce to complete ongoing projects, subject to successful negotiations with customers.

Grant Thornton has not been appointed administrator over the other associated companies - JP Demolition and Petroleum Decommissioning Ltd., and TJP Homes Ltd.

JP Group Ltd, based at Green Lane Business Park in Tewkesbury, specialises in building petrol stations and corporate premises such as car dealerships and office blocks. Set up by chairman and CEO John Parrott in 1969, the business employs around 100 people.