Half Alderney building firms expect to fail in the next five years

NEARLY half of construction firms in Alderney think they will be out of business within five years, a survey has found.

It was conducted by Alderney States to find out what threats were facing the construction industry in the wake of large companies slashing manpower or shutting up shop.

Construction firms cited contracts being awarded to off-island companies and the speed of the planning process as the biggest threats.

Alderney's largest construction company, Jackie Main Builder and Contractor, closed at Christmas, while 30-year-old painting, decorating and construction firm Tickled Pink, has seen a 14-strong workforce reduced to five over the last five years.

Nigel Dupont, partner at Tickled Pink, pictured, said: 'We will probably not be trading in five years. We're doing half the hours we did before. These are guys who have been with me for 17 years. They are not just employees they are friends, and I am having to say, "go before you are pushed". These are tough times.'