JOBS have been lost after a string of paper companies went into administration.

A total of 14 PaperlinX UK sites have been closed, including an office in Shoreham, with just five still open.

Business advisory firm Deloitte became the administrator on Wednesday, announcing up to 693 redundancies.

The Dolphin Way site has lost 35 jobs with immediate effect, Deloitte confirmed yesterday.

PaperlinX UK headquarters in Northampton will stay open alongside others in areas such as Belfast, Coventry, and Manchester. But three sites in Bristol, and offices in Southampton, Birmingham, and Bracknell have closed.

The company is a subsidiary of PaperlinX Limited, an Australian-listed, international merchant of paper, communication materials and diversified products and services.

There are 18 paper and visual technology solutions trading and non-trading subsidiary businesses in administration - mainly Robert Horne Group Limited, Howard Smith Paper Group Limited, The Paper Company Limited, and PaperlinX Services (Europe) Ltd.

But PaperlinX UK packaging businesses and global operations such as PaperlinX Ireland Ltd are not affected and continue to trade normally.

Joint administrator Matt Smith said: “The industry has faced an increasingly challenging environment due to falling demand as digital communications have increased. We are investigating how best to maximise value in the businesses for the benefit of its creditors.

“The joint administrators are seeking to continue to trade the businesses on a limited basis to secure the best value available from current stock holdings and other assets. The businesses will continue to actively trade from five sites, including the Northampton head office, but on a more limited basis than previously. During this period we will also be attempting to find a purchaser for all or parts of the businesses.

“Employment specialists will be making sure affected employees are supported in making their claims to the Redundancy Payments Service for redundancy, pay in lieu of notice and any other appropriate claims. A dedicated email address and helpline for employees has also been established.”

For information visit deloitte.co.uk.