Workers down tools on ambitious Fair Isle Bird Observatory project as employers run out of cash

Artist's impression of the observatory project

HOPES that the new Fair Island Bird Observatory would open later this year have been dashed.

It emerged this week that cashflow problems have hit Lighthouse, the Sheffield-based modular firm that was building the £7.4-million observatory and its ancillary guest accommodation .

The likelihood is that it will go into administration resulting in a long delay while financial, legal and other issues are addressed.

Workers have now downed tools on the  project which was a replacement for another modular-built observatory that was destroyed by a mystery fire five years ago this month.

Says Douglas Barr, chairman of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust: "Regrettably, we have been advised that our builders have lodged a notice to appoint an administrator.

"This is particularly frustrating given we now have a windproof and watertight building.

"We were in the process of completing the internals which were scheduled to be finished this autumn."

So near, yet so far. Lighthouse released these photographs last year to illustrate  how the project was progressing