Famous Accrington brickworks Nori closes again (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Famous Accrington brickworks Nori closes again

7:40pm Thursday 26th November 2009 in

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ACCRINGTON’S famous brickworks has closed again after management revealed orders were still scarce.

Production at the Hanson Building Products factory, where Nori brick is made, re-opened on a trial three month basis in August as bosses hoped to see a rejuvenation in the building trade.

However despite only renewing production at a 20 per cent level, business has been too slow to continue through the winter months.

The future of the factory is set to be reviewed again in April and the company will retain a skeletal staff of seven to oversee remaining stocks in the meantime.

Eight former workers who were rehired on a temporary contract have been let go.

The plant, in Whinney Hill Road, between Altham and Accrington, ended full production of the red super-strength brick, used to build the foundations of the Empire State Building and Blackpool Tower, in September last year leading to over 80 redundancies.

Hyndburn Borough councillor Clare Pritchard began a campaign this summer for local developments to use Nori brick as part of the Elevate regeneration scheme.

No updates on this plan have yet been revealed, however David Weeks at the company said it would make ‘very little difference’.

He said: “It is a wonderful gesture from the councillor but we need more than just the occasional building to get us back to full production.

“If we were to supply bricks for the new bus station in Accrington, we would already have enough in our remaining stocks.

"We need regular, permanent orders, from all over the UK.

“We will take another look at the situation in April.

"As it is there is no point staying open throughout the winter months, which is a traditionally quiet time in the building trade as it is.”

Coun Pritchard, who has sent letters to both county and district councillors urging them to offer their support, said she was extremely disappointed.

She said: “Accrington is known for Nori Brick and it would be an incredibly sad day if we lost them forever.”