Symm, the Oxford-based building company, has confirmed it is to end masonry production at its Axtell Perry Symm (APS) Masonry factory in Osney Mead next year.

The closure was reported in the October emailed Stone Bulletin that is part of this magazine’s coverage of the stone market (you can sign up to receive it on the home page of this website).

The company has now posted a statement on the APS website (www.apsmasonry.com). It says: “Following an extensive review, it is with great regret that this decision has been made. A combination of economic factors, including finding labour in the expensive property market of Oxford, and a highly competitive market in the stone industry has limited any options available for maintaining the manufacturing arm of the business.

“We are all extremely proud of our stone heritage at Symm, having built many iconic buildings in Oxford and the surrounding countryside, and the lessons and skills of our stone past will live on within the business.

“The Managing Director of Symm, Phil Morton, would be pleased to answer any questions. He may be contacted via email, philm@symm.co.uk.”

Symm announced its intention to close its masonry works once before, in 2010, but was surprised at the strength of feeling in the industry about the move. It kept the workshops open but reduced overheads by incorporating the stone business into the Symm Group rather than running it separately.

This year, the workshops were visited by HRH The Duke of York as the company celebrated its 200th anniversary. Nevertheless, the conditions that made Symm want to shut the business in 2010 have not changed substantially and the company says it has reached the commercial decision that manufacturing must end. There are 10 people employed there.