A CENTURY of craftsmanship, much of it for the Queen, is to end with the closure of an award-winning joinery and the loss of 48 jobs.

Wallis, part of the Kier construction group, has shocked craftsmen by announcing the decision to shut its joinery in Hart Street, Maidstone.

They had expected to move to new premises following a five-year search for a suitable site in the Maidstone area after Hart Street was designated by borough council chiefs for housing.

Office workers have already transferred to Aylesford but bosses decided the joinery operation was no longer worth saving.

Wallis' origins date back to 1860 and the company moved to Broadmead Works, Hart Street, in 1901.

One of the workers, who did not wished to be named, said: "Everyone’s quite frightened, we were led to be believe that we would be relocating, but have now been told that it is not financially viable."

Wallis Joinery chairman Richard Bush said: "It is with regret that a decision has been made to withdraw from joinery manufacture."

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