Hackney Council appoints Wates to complete phase 2b of the £25m Britannia Project after contractor Ardmore Construction Group collapsed.
Hackney Council has officially appointed main contractor Wates to take over phase 2b of the £25m Britannia Project in east London. The residential development had been left stalled following the financial collapse of its previous contractor, Ardmore Construction Group Ltd. Local authority approval was secured on 2 November to bring Wates on board to complete the remaining works.
The collapse of Ardmore Construction Group highlighted ongoing pressures facing Tier 1 and Tier 2 main contractors across the UK construction sector. When major firms go into administration, site work halts abruptly, delaying delivery schedules, creating sub-contractor bad debt, and forcing clients to re-tender or directly negotiate takeover packages. Wates step in to stabilize the multi-million-pound scheme, ensuring site activity resumes under new management.
What does this mean for a UK tradesperson or DIYer actually buying this kit — does it change what they should pay, buy, or watch out for?
For local sub-contractors and tradespeople looking for work on major regional developments, the restart of the Britannia Project opens up procurement opportunities under Wates' supply chain. Trades entering a site that has been stalled due to insolvency should verify that existing fixtures, first-fix installations, and building materials left on-site meet current spec and safety standards before proceeding. While this specific contractor change does not directly shift over-the-counter retail prices at merchants like Screwfix or Toolstation, it highlights the importance of trade accounts retaining credit insurance or tight payment terms when working under newly assigned main contractors.
Reported by Construction News — original article
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