STAFF were today hoping a deal could be reached for them to return to work after bailiffs raided the site of a collapsed Hampshire freight businesses.

Bailiffs chasing around a quarter of a million pounds in unpaid rent took over the premises of Boyes Conning on the Chalcroft business Park in West End on Friday.

More than 80 workers, including drivers, warehouse men and office staff, have been left fearing for their jobs. Some have not been paid for two weeks.

One angry worker said: “There are some blokes who’ve got mortgages, young families and who are living week to week. We’ve been led along and have not got paid for it.

“We just don’t know who to trust or who to believe.”

Jersey based landlords Fox International Properties have been in talks over the weekend with Boyes parent company GJ Cooper Holdings about a “viable business plan” for the site claiming rent has gone unpaid for months. The negotiations were due to resume today. FIP spokesman Jock Russell said: “It’s a very fluid situation.”

Northern Ireland firm Tinnelly Transport, which took over Boyes’ contacts when it went bust at the end of August owing £1.7m to 139 creditors, said it had been barred from the site and claimed business “had gone down the swanny” as a result of the disruption by the bailiffs.

No one was available for comment from GJ Cooper last night.