BOSSES at Blairs Windows have quashed rumours that the firm could close after reducing workers hours.

Managing director Alex Gray has been forced to reduce employees' hours because of tough competition from companies who he says are breaching regulations.

Mr Gray says he is losing business because he refuses to supply units that are non-complaint with Construction Product Regulations (CPR).

He said that that £52,000 of work had been cancelled after production had started, more than £1million of quotes for work had been lost and the firm had turned down almost 30 contracts because they refused to break the law.

Mr Gray said: "We have cut the hours back but we are working to get the staff back up to 40 hours a week.

"This is due to the fact that over a million pounds of work had to be handed back because I refused to make a non-compliant product.

"We are in this position because Historic Environment Scotland has not updated their guidelines and planners and architects are referring to it.

"The crux of it is a lack of enforcement by Trading Standards officers.

"An interim report from Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of the building regulations states “confusing rules and a lack of enforcement leaves the system open to abuse."

The Telegraph had received calls regarding reduced hours at the firm, amid concerns for its future.

One man who has worked for the company for several years said: "They've cut all our hours to 30 hours a week and everyone's worried that it's going to close.

"People are very concerned about the future. We've all got families and bills to pay.

"They already made people redundant last year."

Mr Gray says the company is working hard to get orders and added that the the 52-strong workforce would have their hours increased to 32 from this week.

He said: "I have no intention of closing, but we are fighting hard to stop this illegal practice.

"Who is going to get these regulations enforced? Someone from Government needs to step in urgently! I have already asked for a public enquiry and for a task force to be set up to investigate the breaches but no one is listening."

Mr Gray, chairman of the Glass and Glazing Federation Scotland, says the ‘non-compliant’ windows at the heart of the dispute suffer heat loss, are less safe and secure and more expensive to make.

He added that he has been battling for years with bosses at Historic Scotland over why they continue to issue guidelines that can only be satisfied by breaching the CPR.

Mr Gray has also contacted Kevin Stewart MSP, minister for local government and housing, and Fiona Richardson, the chief trading standards officer for Scotland, but was told it was up to individual councils to deal with enforcement issues.

Mr Gray said: "Our local MSP Stuart McMillan has been acting on our behalf but he's been getting the runaround because Trading Standards are asleep on the job."