Supplier's plan for new home

Agricultural machinery supplier Morris Corfield & Co is planning to move out of Much Wenlock after nearly 50 years, managers said today.

They insist there will be no job losses in the move to a site near Broseley and the workforce may even be expanded in future if business goes well.

The forecourt at Smithfield Works in Much Wenlock was opened by the company in 1959, but bosses want to increase business and say the site is not suitable for expansion.

So they have applied for planning permission to move to the company's site at Benthall Pipeworks, near Broseley, which is already used for the storage, repair and sale of machinery.

The application submitted to Bridgnorth District Council is to demolish some disused buildings and build new offices to house the headquarters of the company.

All staff employed at Much Wenlock will move to Benthall, which will lead to about 24 people working on the site.

Stephen Corfield, of the company, said depending on the state of the business it was planned to take on more staff in the future.

He said it was unclear what would happen to the Much Wenlock site but it would probably remain in the ownership of the Morris family.

A report to Bridgnorth district planners said: "It is envisaged the Much Wenlock site will become available for an alternative form of industrial, commercial or retail activity, providing enhanced town centre facilities for the residents of Much Wenlock and surrounding areas."

Morris Corfield has been supplying agricultural machinery to Shropshire's farmers for more than 50 years.

The family-run business sells a large selection of stock including combine harvesters, tractors and trailers.

It has forecourts at Craven Arms and Bromyard as well as its sites in Much Wenlock and Benthall.

By Simon Alton