A long-established family motors business has closed, with the loss of 28 jobs, because a family fall-out.

The high court this week ordered the appointment of a liquidator for Raymotors after hearing there had been deadlock in its management caused by the irretrievable breakdown in the relationship between the two directors who are brother and sister.

Ramsey-based Raymotors Ltd, which was incorporated as a family business in February 1951, employed some 28 people and focused on car sales, service and spares.

It also owned the Rapid Auto tyre, exhaust and brake pad centre, a petrol station and a number of properties in the town, with total assets of at least £2.2 million in value.

But the court heard that a falling-out between the two directors, brother and sister David Casement and Christine Radcliffe, dating back to at least 2014 , was irretrievable and had had a negative effect on the company.

Tax returns and the financial accounts going back to 2012 were outstanding, Treasury was threatening prosecution and Raymotors had failed Volkswagen and Seat audits.

Mr Casement, who owns 50% of the issued share capital, had ’reluctantly’ petitioned for the winding up of the company, arguing that the relationship with his sister and co-director Mrs Radcliffe had become ’extreme difficult, fractious and strained’.

His advocate Fletcher Craine told the court that the pair could not agree on any issue, including the way forward for the company and his client had been withheld company financial information including a debtors list.

But his sister, who owns the other 50% share capital, argued that Raymotors was solvent and was able to pay its debts as they fell due.

Her advocate Chris Webb argued that Mr Casement had put in the winding-up claim for improper purposes as he wanted the assets sold.

He said there was an alternative to a ’draconian’ winding-up, and suggested the company could be sold on the open market without the intervention of a receiver or liquidator.

’We say there’s still time,’ he told the court.’

But Mr Caine responded: ’Time has simply run out.’

And Deemster David Doyle agreed. In a judgment handed down in court at 3pm on Tuesday, he said he was persuaded that it was ’just and equitable’ that the company be wound up.

He said with the deadlock between the brother and sister and sadly no hope for reconciliation or co-operation, and he added ’things could not remain as they are’.

Deemster Doyle appointed Andrew Paul Shimmin as liquidator and noted the order would have a ’serious impact’ not just on Mr Casement and Mrs Radcliffe but their employees, customers ’and indeed many others’. ’But there is no realistic alternative,’ he said.