SHOWROOMS of a well-known home improvements business will open again after the company was taken on around a month after its collapse.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Apple Home Improvements collapsed in December, leaving more than 100 people our of work just before Christmas.

Yesterday, Winchester-based company County Windows Ltd announced it has acquired Apple for an undisclosed sum and plans to begin trading again soon.

It is believed some jobs will be saved as County Windows aims to complete any projects started and left unfinished by Apple ahead of the company’s collapse.

Peter Hall, chairman of County Windows, said Apple will be rebranded. Both of the company’s showrooms will begin trading again in the coming weeks.

“We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of Apple Home Improvements,” he said.

“As a significant employer across the south coast, we will look to take on Apple staff and contractors where appropriate and will be in contact them shortly.

“The combined turnover of the new County Windows group will be in the region of £14m, a sizeable company in the region which we anticipate will have a positive impact for the local economy and employment opportunities.

“County Windows has an experienced and proven management team with a reputation for quality and reliability going back 30 years. I’m excited about the future and would like to reassure those customers who have been let down by Apple that we’ll do what we can to honour their contracts.”

The company’s management is headed up by managing director Martin Snow, who was previously a director of Anglian Home Improvements. Pat Jeanes, also from Anglian, is in charge of sales.

Apple boss Scott Hill has so far refused to comment publicly.

Suppliers and other creditors are believed to be owed hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Mr Hill, who reportedly owns properties in Dubai, Marbella and Scotland, is listed as the active director of some 11 companies. According to Companies House, he filed a cessation in which he stopped being a person with significant control of the company on December 12 - a week before telling staff they were out of a job.

Apple customers with existing orders are invited to call 01202 283333 or email info@county-windows.com