Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Simon Linton watches the news avidly for a glimmer of hope that people will start buying houses again. Because his business, and the livelihoods of his staff, depend on it.

Simon Linton

As Managing Director of Linton Brick in Eccles, he’s built up a successful business over the past 19 years making specially shaped bricks for the leading housebuilders like Barratt’s, Redrow and Persimmon.

But now, he’s having to take it back it down again, brick by brick.

Devastated

Since the credit crunch started to bite, turnover at Linton Brick has dropped by a quarter over the past 12 months and Simon's been forced to shed half his workforce, laying off 11 experienced members of staff.

Simon said it left many of them devastated.

"We’ve lost a lot of great people who we’ve employed for many years which is a tragedy for them. And for the people we’ve got left, it’s a very worrying time for them.�

Adding: "Basically, we’re at rock bottom. If we cut anymore, the critical mass of the company would be lost and we just wouldn’t be able to function."

Worried: Stuart Bassett

Stuart Bassett, a production supervisor at the company, is one of the lucky ones who’s still in a job. He says it’s a difficult time.

"Every time someone comes out of the office and calls a meeting all the guys are thinking: ‘who’s next?’ It’s not a nice feeling at all."

This is what happens when the economy takes a steep downturn. Real jobs and livelihoods at stake.

Subprime

The subprime lending crisis in the United States had a direct impact on Linton Brick. The global credit squeeze rocked the housing market making it harder for first time buyers to borrow money.

Demand for bricks is down 40%

With no new buyers joining the housing ladder, housebuilders stopped building new houses and the demand for Linton's specially made bricks for arches and gables has fallen drastically.

Simon Linton says he wants action from Labour instead of political in-fighting.

"The Government has raised the threshold for stamp duty, and that’s a step in the right direction. But they could do more.

"I’d like see them abolish it altogether, offer tax relief for first time buyers and I think they should scrap the HIPs [Â鶹ԼÅÄ Information Packs] to help kick start the housing market.

"And, believe me, the market needs all the help it can get."