The firm said it aimed to slim the business down by around 100 staff through mostly voluntary redundancies spread evenly across its regional offices.

Group chief executive Rick Willmott said the forecast fall in revenue due to the pandemic was further compounded by uncertainty on future order volumes as its customers reviewed their own plans, threatening delay or cancellation of some projects this year, as well as in 2021.

In the update to staff, he said: “Over the past two months, it’s become apparent that the pandemic will remain with us for the medium term and it could be next year before we return to some semblance of normality.

“Through the measures, we have already taken and with the support of various Government initiatives, we have tried to weather this storm as best as possible and protect jobs.

“Unfortunately, the worsening economic situation means we have to take further steps to safeguard our future as we accept our company will not be returning to pre-Covid levels of output and workload in the near future.”

Willmott warned: “We are facing a prolonged period of lower outputs and reduced turnover and need to adapt to this quickly.  

“This means reviewing how best to balance the number of people who work for us with predicted future trading levels, something our local management teams are doing based on their detailed knowledge of regional markets, opportunities and risks. 

“Regrettably, based on our forecast activity, we anticipate this review will lead to a small number of our people, around 5% on average, leaving our seven regional offices.

“It is intended that most people who leave the company during this process will take voluntary redundancy. “

In an email to staff, he added: “I am saddened that in the space of a few months and having seen so many people pull together in a way that I couldn’t have imagined was possible, we now find ourselves in this position.

“We will take the next steps with compassion and consideration for the hugely talented people I have always been proud to work with. ”