By DAVID COULTER

Last updated at 09:53, Friday, 05 February 2010

ONE of Tynedale’s oldest building firms is to close, with the loss of 12 jobs.

E. Scarth & Sons, based in Westgate, Haltwhistle, is understood to have missed out recently on public sector housing maintenance contracts.

The company confirmed this week it had been affected by the downturn in the construction industry, with no prospect of a significant upturn in customer inquiries.

Scarths will cease its building operations on April 8. Its house-letting service will not be affected.

The loss of the firm is a further blow to Haltwhistle, which saw the loss of building firm Barwick Brothers in 2002.

It was founded by Eric Scarth in 1973. His son John and daughter Anne Oliver are current directors of the firm.

Mrs Oliver said the decision to cease trading was upsetting for the family and employees.

“Our building operations have been badly affected. Some of our major customers have been affected by the recession.

“We are very upset because 37 years is a long time in business. Once the staff can find alternative employment we will be a lot happier.”

Haltwhistle Town Council vice chairman Coun.Vic Fleming paid tribute to the contribution the firm had made to the local economy over three decades.

“It is very sad for an old, established company like this in the town to close,” he said.

“It is always sad to lose any sort of business, particularly in this day and age when times are hard.

“It was a valuable asset to the town, having a small building company like this.”

Coun. Fleming paid tribute to loyal members of staff at Scarths.

He said: “The people who work there have always been a good crowd and it has always been local lads who have been taken on.

“This is another door which has closed and any of the younger generation wanting to take up an apprenticeship can’t do so any more because we won’t have the companies to take them on locally.”

First published at 09:40, Friday, 05 February 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk