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Housing slump finishes Marsden Vanplan
Page 8
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ONE OF THE UK's oldest commercial bodybuilders is being forced to close its doors this month following a downturn in the housing market.
Warrington-based Marsden Vanplan, which specialises in removals and furniture vans, will have to make 57 staff redundant and close the business on 20 September unless a buyer is found at the eleventh hour.
Managing director John Clarke, who stresses that it is an "orderly closure-, says: "We have no new orders to fulfil. In the first six months of the year the housing market has been on its back and,as a result, removals companies are not investing in new vehicles; they're saving their money."
Originally known as Pictons, the business started life in 1833.11 then became Marsden and when Marsden bought out Vanplan in 1986 the company was renamed Marsden Vanplan. Clarke took over the business in 1999.
The trade name and trade are up for sale, says Clarke, but not the 6,500nf premises.
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