Havelock Europa has announced plans to cut around 10 per cent of its workforce as it warned profit and revenue will be “materially lower” than current market expectations.

The retail, education and financial services fit-out specialist employs around 400 at its base in Kirkcaldy, Fife plus a further 100 in sales roles in the UK, an office in Mansfield and in Shanghai, China.

Chief executive David Ritchie, who came into the job in May, said the decision came after he commissioned research into how customers viewed the company.

He said: “No decision to reduce jobs is ever taken lightly, and we will do everything possible to support those colleagues affected.”

Havelock said trading had been hit as a result of subdued demand in the retail and financial services sectors.