A STAIRFOOT brickworks faces demolition due to a 'worse than predicted' collapse of the building industry.
Hanson brickworks at Stairfoot was 'mothballed' last August with the loss of 76 jobs.
At the time, Hanson said it hoped to start production again and take people back on when the economy improved. The firm predicted it would be able to do this some time from 2010.
But the Chronicle understands the firm has changed tack and the works will now probably face demolition.
It will spend the next 12 to 18 months stripping the site of any salvageable equipment to be used elsewhere and then it will be flattened.
Hanson spokesman David Weeks said: "The collapse (of the construction industry) has been a lot worse than we predicted a year ago.
"Looking at it, the market may have just about bottomed out now, but the recovery is going to be slow and painful.
