The receiver of Rocca Tiles has called an extraordinary general meeting next Thursday to wind the company up voluntarily.

Mr Michael McAteer of Foster McAteer said a resolution stating the company could not continue in business would be put to shareholders.

Nine Rocca Tiles and TileBusters outlets stopped trading last week amid fears that the company would be put into liquidation.

The company is one of the longest-established home-improvement ventures in the Republic and its founders in the Rocca family reacted with surprise to its demise.

The family sold the company to Linfen Ltd for €4.76 million but reinvested €672,000 in the company to maintain a 20 per cent stake in it.

It emerged last week that the Rocca family has taken legal action against the purchasers alleging oppression of minority shareholders' interests.

The Rocca family has claimed that the company was profitable up to 2000. It is thought that Rocca Tiles and TileBusters recorded a loss of about €570,240 in 2000.

Certain customers who bought tiles from the company have called radio shows to complain that their goods were still being held at the shops.

The managing director of Rocca Tiles, Mr John Parnell, declined to comment yesterday on the company's closure.

Observers pointed out that the notice calling the meeting was dated February 28th, although the shops did not close until March 4th.

Mr McAteer was appointed receiver on March 8th. The notice of February 28th proposed him as the person to manage the winding-up.

The Irish Times was unable to reach Mr McAteer yesterday.

The extraordinary general meeting next Thursday will be held at the offices of accounting firm Cooney Carey.