ADMINISTRATORS have been called in to the Lythgoe Motor Group in Bolton — just a week after the firm’s managing director denied the business was in trouble.

More than 30 jobs have already gone at the car sales firm but the joint administrators say they are hopeful a buyer will be found. Meanwhile, one strand of the business has already been taken over.

However, the future is uncertain for the firm’s Mazda/Fiat dealership in Manchester Road and other sites in Oldham and Rochdale. The after-sales site in Wardley has already gone, with the loss of 31 jobs.

Last week, Lythgoe managing director Mark Beach denied rumours the firm was in difficulties, insisting it was business as usual. But in the intervening days the Lythgoe’s management team sold the Citroen franchise in Higher Bridge Street before calling in the administrators.

Yesterday, callers to Lythgoe’s head office in Manchester Road were told the company was in administration but still trading. Mr Beach was not available.

Bolton-based BCC Group is the new owner of the former Lythgoe Citroen operation.

BCC managing director Maxine Croft said: “We have saved 25 jobs at the Citroen site and we will be interviewing some of the Wardley people who have lost their jobs because we know they are very good at their jobs.

“If we can take on a few more people and save a few jobs then we will.”

The remaining dealerships are being run as going concerns until a new buyer can be found.

The Lythgoe name is well-known in the Greater Manchester area, having traded new and used vehicles for more than 30 years.

Following the Wardley closure, the business now has around 100 staff working across the remaining dealerships.

Joint administrator Kevin Coates said: “The priority for the joint administrators is to seek a buyer for the remaining sales sites and we are confident of achieving this in the coming days and weeks.

“The remaining franchises represent a strong investment opportunity for other players in this market to expand their businesses and we are seeing significant interest from a number of parties.”