Newspaper round-up: 1 May 2007

Manchester building blaze
A Victorian office building may have to be pulled down as it is liable to collapse following a blaze at the site in Manchester, according to the Times.

Barratt job cut threat
The Independent reports that Barratt Developments has warned that 400 jobs could go following its £2.2bn merger with Wilson Bowden.

Connaught boost
Connaught has reported a 37% increase in profits and an order book of over £2bn, according to the Times.

Persimmon and Wimpey go for Welsh development
The Times reports that Persimmon and George Wimpey are set to go head-to-head for a £1.2bn housing scheme on an old BP refinery in South Wales.