Largest Roofing Contractor Avonside Goes into Administration

TODAY IT is reported that the UK’s largest roofing contractor, Avonside Group, is entering into administration.

A liquidator will be appointed for the main part of the company and some parts are being bought out. The founder, Anthony Burke, has now resigned as director from the 23 August and it is not known whether the rest of the board of directors have yet resigned.

CEO Edward Stanton and Operations Director, Simon Smith, remain officially in their posts as far as is known.

It is thought that the company goes bankrupt leaving £7 million in debt to specialist roofing distributors and several roofing merchants.

Formed in 1987, the company originally began trading as roofing contractor, Lee Roofing, and was acquired in the early 1990s by a PLC. In 2003, Avonside Roofing was the subject of a management buyout led by Tony Burke. Avonside later expanded with the addition of Avonside Renewables and Energy, and the acquisition of Whites Plumbing Ltd. Since then, its Plumbing and Heating division grew to include 3 branches: Worcester, Cambridge and Burton. The company employs 350 staff at the latest count.

Avonside had been a registered member of the NFRC since March 2004, and offer domestic pitched roof services such as slating and tiling, shingling and fully supported lead and flat roof services such as RBM roofing, mastic asphalt, metal decking, fully supported lead and single ply.

The company is thought to owe numerous subcontract roofers who have not yet been paid as part of the contracts they’ve delivered for Avonside.

Avonside are thought to have fallen casualty to interrupted operations during the last two years due to the pandemic and exposure to housebuilders who have put pressure on margins.

The company is believed to be about to make an official statement tomorrow and have been approached for comment.

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