A Bradford businessman has called on construction firms to show a new burst of entrepreneurship in the face of the economic downturn.

Charles Taylor, sales director of Denholme timber merchants CR Taylor Ltd, made his rallying cry in a satellite TV news programme focusing on the plight of the construction industry.

Mr Taylor, whose family firm employs about 40 people, last month announced it was keeping its Bradford depot open in response to customer demand instead of mothballing it as planned, although four people lost their jobs.

He has taken day-to-day control of the Bradford operation focusing on attracting new customers.

Mr Taylor said it was important for housebuilders and construction firms to take a long-term view in the current climate. The UK was short of three million homes and the downturn would not last forever.

He said: “Obviously times are hard and companies must take measures to cope with this, but I believe that now is the time to take a longer view and demonstrate a real entrepreneurial spirit.

“We need banks to start lending again but can do without bank chiefs talking down the housing market by predicting further price falls which means people who want to buy are holding off.”

Mr Taylor appeared on the programme with the head of housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, one of Taylor’s major customers.

He said: “I was asked for my view on how the recently regrettable redundancies at our company have affected our business.

“We have increased our customer base by keeping our ears to the ground and being savvy as to how our competitors are faring and that allows us to be a more resilient.

“The issues are clear and that starts with banks resuming lending, but there is an important message in that we don’t all get dragged down by negative talk that seems to fill the column inches and air time.

“A positive approach is vital if firms are struggling or choose to rationalise and we must match that with a new burst of entrepreneurship.

“Times such as these offer opportunities and sow the seeds for future prosperity.

“The housebuilding industry is a major gauge of economic wellbeing and those firms operating in and around it must take heart and learn to be innovative in their approach. The templates for success are there already.

“We had messages of support from right across Europe after the live broadcast was transmitted and we’ve been asked for our advice on a number of construction-related issues since.”

Mr Taylor, 48, is the third generation of his family involved in running the business which was founded in 1960 and provides engineered timber for the construction industry as well as two retail outlets.