Family-run truck trailer manufacturer Cartwright Group has warned that it may be forced to leave the UK for good, because “bureaucracy is stifling its success”.
The Altrincham-based company has had its planning application for a temporary car park refused by Trafford Council. It says it “desperately needed the go-ahead” for the car park so as to make space for the 80 new employees it has recently recruited to join its 500-strong workforce.
Director John Cartwright is requesting personal meetings with local MP Graham Brady and senior Trafford Council officials in a bid to solve the problem.
He said: “We are a successful local company and that is a very rare thing in the current economic climate. While many firms are struggling we are in the fortunate position of being able to offer more work to local people – we have taken on extra staff and our workforce is getting 12 – 15 hours a week in overtime.
“We are heading for a record year in both trailer manufacturing and rentals and we are delighted to find ourselves in this position. However, being denied permission to use this land as a car park puts great pressure on our existing facilities.
“The directors and the workforce would all like this to be resolved so that the company can continue to prosper and continue to provide employment for the people of this area. But we cannot continue as we are without having more parking spaces.
“We have already had to move some of our operations elsewhere because of restrictions imposed on us. If this cannot be resolved then the rest of our company will have to follow.
“We are expanding our base in Northampton and opening a new site in Avonmouth. It would be a tragic irony if we then had to move from our home base because of this issue.
“We are not asking for money or any special assistance. Just a little common sense.”
