The shortages of bricks in the UK is being addressed with the reopening of a long-closed brickworks in Accrington, Lancashire, creating jobs as well as helping increasing the supply of bricks to construction companies at a time when construction products are in high demand.


Being based in Accrington, East Lancashire, and not far from OBAS HQ’s in Longridge, it’s especially pleasing to see the brick plant, which has been closed for around seven years reopening following a recent investment of £1.6m.


The decision to reopen the moth-balled plant was taken due to the chronic shortage of bricks, which has been created by demand outstripping supply, a phenomenon which has been seen in various lines of building products for sale in the UK.


The plant is owned by Hanson Building Products which has created 20 jobs at the site in order to rapidly bring the brick factory’s production capacity up to full speed and where it’s expected a further 30 jobs will be created.


In addition to the creation of new construction industry jobs in Lancashire by the reopening of the brick products plant, the business has also increased shifts at its other facilities in Kirton, Desford and Wilnecote in order to keep up with demand for bricks.


The site in Accrington originally began supplying the bricklaying trade with bricks in 1887, with bricks from the site being used in the construction of Blackpool Tower and the Empire State Building and there is enough clay left in the local quarry to last a further 30-40 years.


The reopening of a brick factory with such a long and prestigious history is a further example of the strength of the recovery, its impact on the construction industry and the demand for building products, which is something that we, as a builders’ merchants we’re very aware of.