Builder's Yard (Mawdsley Street site)

The Builder's Yard was a firm operated for twenty years Len Fairclough from 1963 until his death in 1983. It was originally located behind his home at 15 Mawdsley Street. Soon after the yard was established, Len took on Jerry Booth as an apprentice, but he later became equal partner in the business in 1967 when Len risked loosing the yard. He had invested £300 in an ill-faited property deal, and Emily Nugent was employed to sort the company's books out. A year later in 1968, Jerry left the partnership and Len decided to demolish the house, expanding the yard into where it once stood. Ray Langton was employed as a labourer shortly afterwards. The business fell into debt in 1969, and Len was given £300 from Elsie Tanner to save it. To repay her, Len sold his van and overworked. Because of this, his position within the council was put in jeopardy and Ray decided to set up his own yard. Some months later in 1970, he went into partnership with Len. Jerry returned to Weatherfield in 1971, and the following year Len employed him again as a labourer. His duties at the yard were often underappreciated by Len and Ray, though by the end of 1973 he was equal partner again. At the same time, Deirdre Hunt was employed as a secretary. Upon Jerry's death in 1975, the yard was once again owned by just Fairclough and Langton, and two years later the pair decided on new terms for their partnership. The new contract saw Len own 60% share of the yard, and Ray the remaining 40%. Towards the end of 1978, Ray emigrated to Holland and Len reluctantly took on Eddie Yeats as a labourer. Len's death in a car accident in 1983 meant the business was now in the hands of his widow Rita. She rented the land to Bill Webster for some months in 1984, and later by Terry Duckworth and Curly Watts until 1987. Alan Bradley took interest in the yard in 1988, to run his alarm security firm from it. Rita wasn't happy, but Alan refurbished the yard and employed Martin Platt as his assistant. She demanded he left the premises a few months later when he had an affair with a client, and Alan later set up a new business in Curzon Street.

Staff (1963-1983)

 * Len Fairclough - Owner


 * Jerry Booth - Co-owner from 1967-1968, then again from 1973-1975


 * Ray Langton - Co-owner from 1970-1978


 * Emily Nugent - Accountant


 * Deirdre Deirdre Hunt  - Secretary

Staff (1983-1988)

 * Rita Fairclough - Owner
 * Bill Webster - Manager in 1984
 * Terry Duckworth - Manager from 1985 to early 1987
 * Curly Watts - Manager from 1985 to late 1987
 * Alan Bradley - Manager in 1988
 * Martin Platt - Assistant