Shropshire haulier quits firm's yard after 40 years
A haulier today claimed intensive house building had forced him to quit the site his family business had occupied in Shropshire for four decades.
Rob Hesbrook, owner of R N Hesbrook and Sons of Newport, claimed staying put would have inevitably led to friction with his growing number of neighbours.
The company has moved from its yard in Avenue Road, Newport, opposite Newport Junior School, to a new site just outside the town. Mr Hesbrook, 57, said he had been left with no choice because of houses being built nearby.
Shropshire Homes has already built 61 houses in the area and now has plans for another four houses and two apartments on the Hesbrook site.
Mr Hesbrook, who lives in Newport, said: "It was unfeasible to continue to run the business from where we were because of all the new houses around. It would have caused friction with the neighbours.
"I could've hung on but, in the end, I decided to sell up and move to a new location.
"There is an element of sadness, but it's something I had to do."
RN Hesbrook & Sons was formed in 1974 by Mr Hesbrook's late father Joe and the business once operated six lorries, delivering sand, gravel and stone.
Mr Hesbrook now runs the business on his own, however, driving the firm's one lorry all across the country.
The family gathered at the Avenue Road site for the last time at the end of last month. Mr Hesbrook's step-daughter Sam Gregory said: "The yard became the focal point of many happy memories for our family. It was a very poignant moment as the lorry drove out for the last time.
"We will miss the yard dearly. It may only be concrete and a garage, but it's part of our history and our life and for that we are very sad to say goodbye. Growing pressure from the housing development and the increase in parked cars down Avenue Road has been a cause of concern for a few years and has finally beaten Rob.
"It's an end to an era."
