Media Centre

Welcome to our news section:

• This is where you will find all the latest information about our ever changing business. Simply take a look at our latest stories below, if you want to share any comments about our news, please email us at anne.kelly@barbour-abi.com

PRESS RELEASE - 31st October 2008

Homeowner led drop in Planning Applications adds to construction gloom says Barbour ABI

Ahead of official figures, Barbour ABI data has highlighted that the number of plans being submitted to Local Authorities has declined 16% year on year for September. The majority of this decline has occurred within the sub-£100k value band for projects and indicates a substantial fall in homeowner led activity requiring planning permission.

Barbour ABI is the only organisation in the UK that reports on 100% of planning applications. Our core business is supplying construction industry professionals with analysis, trends and construction leads.

Adam Valentine, Research Director says: “While there are some real challenges in a number of areas within the construction market that are more visible to the public such as large housebuilders, we’re starting to see a marked contraction in the number of plans submitted for smaller projects such as extensions and conservatories too."

"There is plenty of evidence that individuals are not taking equity from their homes due to housing market conditions and this now seems to be filtering down into all kinds of applications for home improvements and smaller construction project market."

PRESS RELEASE - 17th October 2008

Barbour ABI’s expansion plans come into fruition

After more than 15 years occupying a leafy office on the Hinderton Hall Estate in Neston, Barbour ABI have now relocated to fulfil expansion plans on the back of a terrific period of growth, backed by their parent company United Business Media. Barbour ABI is a leading provider of construction sales leads, contact data, CRM software and market intelligence to UK companies.

Barbour ABI’s new purpose-built office on the Cheshire Oaks Business Park in Ellesmere Port provides a superb open plan environment coupled with state of the art technology and meeting facilities for staff and customers.

Hinderton Point will also be the northern office for UBM Built Environment and UBM Live representing magazines, events, conferences and exhibitions across the division, such as well known names like:-

• Property Week – the leading news weekly for the property market
• Building magazine – the leader in its field for the construction industry
• And Ifsec – the internationally renowned fire and security exhibition.

David Andrew, Director at Barbour ABI says: “ABI is delighted to have gained the backing of our parent company UBM in order to move to such a superb location. As a long term employer of a large mainly locally based workforce it’s a real testament to the ongoing confidence in the business that this kind of investment is being made, despite the current issues in the construction market that exist.”

“In essence, ABI tells companies where they can find work related to new build and refurbishments throughout the UK – and in the current environment this information is more valuable than ever.”

“The move itself took place over a weekend and despite this tight timescale the staff of 120 were up and running without any major hitches by 9am on Monday. The benefits of the new office are already being felt by staff and we expect the new facilities to have a really positive impact on both teamwork and results. Our only real worry is about getting staff back from Cheshire Oaks after lunch has finished!”

Barbour ABI’s official new office opening was carried out by the Mayor Keith Butcher, his wife and Lisa Conway, Head of Economic Development yesterday (16th October) at noon. Cllr Mike Jones, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Shadow Unitary Council also joined the celebrations at Hinderton Point, Lloyd Drive, Cheshire Oaks.