Kent MPs have branded City Link’s treatment of staff utterly appalling.

News that company had been placed into administration broke on Christmas Eve but administrators Ernst and Young did not start informing staff until today because of last week’s bank holidays and the weekend got in the way.

It is believed more than 70 jobs at its two depots in Ashford and Aylesford are under threat but administrators have stressed no redundancies have yet been made, although it admits they are likely.

Scores of customers flocked to its premises in Bellingham Way today, with queues stretching out of the collection room and into the car park.

Only a handful of staff were on duty while others were coming in to collect their belongings.

One member of staff, who was not working and did not wish to be named, said: “I’ve not been here long but this has been an extraordinary experience. A lot of people are going to go and it’s devastating, especially because we found out on Christmas Day from a news website.

“Some of us have worked 12 to 15 hour shifts in overtime and now we’re going to have to make a claim to get that money. I have a baby who is eight-months-old. It’s going to be a struggle." - City Link employee

“Nothing was said in advance, we’re left feeling like the company is just there is fill its pockets up.

“Some of us have worked 12 to 15 hour shifts in overtime and now we’re going to have to make a claim to get that money. I have a baby who is eight-months-old. It’s going to be a struggle.

“I’ve got rent and bills to pay too and some guys are paying off mortgages. It’s a massive shock.”

Another said: “They have been shedding depots up and down the country. We’d heard rumours but we’d been told everything was alright.

“It’s been really busy the last few weeks and some freight was taken and sent to other warehouses. I thought that was just the Christmas rush.

“We were taken over two years ago and there was a lot of new equipment coming in. I thought the business had turned a corner.”

Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, and Damian Green, MP for Ashford, have both spoken out against the move.

They are now calling on ministers to hold urgent discussions with them.

Miss Crouch said: “The manner in which employees have been treated in this process is utterly appalling. The least they deserve now is the best possible redundancy terms and support from the Government where possible”.

Mr Green added: “The whole business has been handled very badly, and I will be trying to ensure something is salvaged, for the sake of the employees.”

A spokesman from Ernst and Young said: “Owing to the Bank Holiday and weekend, the joint administrators of City Link Limited have today begun directly informing the company’s employees on the administration and the potential for significant redundancies through a series of employee meetings across the City Link sites.

“While no redundancies have been made today, the joint administrators believe that the company will unfortunately have to make substantial redundancies, which will take effect on Wednesday, December 31.

“As a result of the Company being unable to continue trading and accept further parcels. The Company employs 2,727 people. Employees that are affected by redundancy will be offered appropriate advice and support in making claims for redundancy and notice pay.

“Employees that are not immediately affected by redundancies will continue to be employed, and paid, to help return the estimated 40,000 parcels remaining in City Link’s depots to customers and intended recipients, as well as assist in realising the Company’s assets and winding down its operations.

“The Joint Administrators will confirm the number of redundancies across City Link Limited’s sites when all employees have been informed over the coming days.”