An out-of-work joiner’s desperate measures to find work by advertising himself outside a Bolton timber yard have yielded dividends with several offers of long-term employment.
When Paul Mallalieu was made redundant from his last job he turned his timber supplier – Bolton-based Anthony Axford – into a recruitment agency by standing outside in freezing weather holding a board saying “Owd Skool Joiner looking for work”.
And his efforts seem to have paid off after builders noticed him when they came to pick up their timber supplies. He now has to choose from several offers of long-term work starting in the New Year.
“It was a bit of a surprise when we saw him standing outside,” Martin Axford, director at Axfords told TTJ. “He was a customer of ours and had bought timber for many years.
“It was absolutely teeming with rain on one day, but he put in a full shift.
“He now has several offers of work in the New Year and does not want too many more.
“In busier times, we usually have people calling asking us to recommend joiners but there is none of that at the moment.”
Mr Axford said the fact that people were prepared to go to the lengths of Mr Mallalieu reflected how tough the business climate was at the moment.
The merchant, which has four sites and runs its own treatment facilities, kilning and joinery shop, has seen a dip in sales but Mr Axford said it is keeping everybody employed and he is hopeful of prospects in the New Year.
