Family-Run Construction Business Enters Administration After 35 Years of Operation
A long-established family-run construction company, which has been trading since 1989, has collapsed into administration, marking the end of over three decades of business activity. Cheshire East Scaffolding Ltd had administrators formally appointed on January 15, 2026, following a hearing at the High Court of Justice.
The company, which has not publicly disclosed the specific reasons for this appointment according to reports, had built a significant presence across the North West of England and North Wales throughout its operational history. It provided a comprehensive range of scaffolding services, including domestic, industrial, and commercial scaffolds, as well as site scaffolding for major housing contractors.
Administration Appointment and Operational History
The appointment of administrators represents a significant development for the firm, which had been a fixture in the regional construction sector. Operating as a family-run enterprise since its inception in the late 1980s, the company had navigated various economic cycles before this recent collapse.
This news follows reports of another construction firm, Caldwell Construction Limited, also entering administration. Caldwell, which was established in 2007, is a major player in groundworks across the Midlands, North West, and Yorkshire, working with national housebuilders like the Vistry Group.
Broader Industry Context and Job Concerns
The Vistry Group has confirmed that operatives have been withdrawn from Caldwell sites, with a spokesperson stating, “We have been in consultation with Caldwell Construction and it is unfortunate that this action has been taken. To ensure there are no delays to construction programmes, we are in discussion with alternative subcontractors from our preferred supplier listings to continue the works.”
More than 400 jobs are now at risk at Caldwell Construction, which maintains a head office in Stoke-on-Trent and an additional office branch in Cheshire. This situation highlights ongoing challenges within the construction industry, affecting both long-standing family businesses and larger regional operators.
The collapse of these firms underscores the volatile nature of the construction sector, where even companies with decades of experience or significant regional contracts can face insurmountable financial difficulties. The impact extends beyond the businesses themselves to employees, subcontractors, and ongoing construction projects across multiple regions.
