Broseley Estates Limited
Encyclopedia
Broseley Estates Limited, also referred to as Broseley Homes, was formed by Danny Horrocks after an amalgamation of developers and was owned for most of its history by the insurance company Royal Exchange
. Based in Leigh, Lancashire, Broseley were a well-respected developer building what was then, high quality and stylish homes.
Early developments were more focused to first-time buyers and then later on during its history
building a full scope of two-bedroom homes through to larger executive homes and luxury riverside apartments.
In the 1960s, Metropolitan Railways Country Estates (purchased by Royal Exchange in the 1950s) Bradshawgate Properties and A Smith of Culceth merged together to become Broseley Estates Limited. Royal Exchange provided the financial backup for Horrocks earlier developments and eventually became the majority shareholder's of Broseley.
During the 1970s Broseley had quickly grown from strength to strength with regional expansion taking the company from a Northern-based developer into Essex, the North East and the acquisition of Frederick Powell & Sons Limited in the South West and Southern England.
Broseley began to develop one of the largest housing estates in the UK ever undertaken by a British house builder at Croxteth Country Park in West Derby, Liverpool, constructing close to 1000 new homes in a 7 year period. They were also one of the first developers in Milton Keynes
(Broseley Brass)building some of the most prestigious homes the new city had to offer.
At that time Broseley were building 2200 houses a year and managed to hold this through the recession before further expanding the company in the early 1980s. With a successful entry into London and additional regional operations throughout the country including Scotland, Broseley had become a national house-builder competing with the likes of Wimpey and Barratt.
Perhaps Broseley's most famous development was TV's Brookside
, which came to our TV screens on Channel 4
in November 1982. Brookside Close is probably recognised by television viewers more than any other modern estate in the country.
Many parts of London Docklands LDDC were built in the early 1980s by the company, who were one the first national house builders to take the challenge and risk of redeveloping the run-down former industrial areas and Docks of East London.
Broseley's first developments in London were Birch Trees in Cypress, Beckton
and Nelson Reach off Redriff Road in Surrey Quays
where want to be buyers waited all night to be first in line to buy on the development. Other successful developments were Spirit Quay in Wapping
and Greenland Quay, all of which are still as extremely popular now as they were when they were built.
decided without Horrocks it would not be able to continue to run the company efficiently.
Broseley Estates was sold to Trafalgar House
in December 1986 – January 1987 for 71 million and subsequently integrated into Trafalgar House's New Ideal Homes Brand.
Only one of Broseley's original ten regional offices still exists today now trading as Persimmon Homes South West in the same premises at Mallard Road, Exeter, following Persimmons takeover of Ideal Homes in 1996
Some of the Broseley Houses and Developments built in the 1980s
Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation
The Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation, founded in 1720, was a British insurance company. It took its name from the location of its offices at the Royal Exchange, London.-Origins:...
. Based in Leigh, Lancashire, Broseley were a well-respected developer building what was then, high quality and stylish homes.
Early developments were more focused to first-time buyers and then later on during its history
building a full scope of two-bedroom homes through to larger executive homes and luxury riverside apartments.
History
Broseley's roots trace back to when Horrocks began his career as an Estate Agent in the 1950s when he started building small developments of houses and refurbishing commercial properties in the Greater Manchester area.In the 1960s, Metropolitan Railways Country Estates (purchased by Royal Exchange in the 1950s) Bradshawgate Properties and A Smith of Culceth merged together to become Broseley Estates Limited. Royal Exchange provided the financial backup for Horrocks earlier developments and eventually became the majority shareholder's of Broseley.
During the 1970s Broseley had quickly grown from strength to strength with regional expansion taking the company from a Northern-based developer into Essex, the North East and the acquisition of Frederick Powell & Sons Limited in the South West and Southern England.
Broseley began to develop one of the largest housing estates in the UK ever undertaken by a British house builder at Croxteth Country Park in West Derby, Liverpool, constructing close to 1000 new homes in a 7 year period. They were also one of the first developers in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
(Broseley Brass)building some of the most prestigious homes the new city had to offer.
At that time Broseley were building 2200 houses a year and managed to hold this through the recession before further expanding the company in the early 1980s. With a successful entry into London and additional regional operations throughout the country including Scotland, Broseley had become a national house-builder competing with the likes of Wimpey and Barratt.
Success
In its heyday Broseley were the fourth largest house builder with over 100 developments throughout the United Kingdom. At its peak in 1983, with a turnover at £130 million, Broseley built and sold 4574 brand new houses. (Information from interview with Danny Horrocks, Jan 1999)Perhaps Broseley's most famous development was TV's Brookside
Brookside
Brookside is a defunct British soap opera set in Liverpool, England. The series began on the launch night of Channel 4 on 2 November 1982, and ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003...
, which came to our TV screens on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in November 1982. Brookside Close is probably recognised by television viewers more than any other modern estate in the country.
Many parts of London Docklands LDDC were built in the early 1980s by the company, who were one the first national house builders to take the challenge and risk of redeveloping the run-down former industrial areas and Docks of East London.
Broseley's first developments in London were Birch Trees in Cypress, Beckton
Beckton
Beckton is part of the London Borough of Newham, England, located east of Charing Cross.Its boundaries are the A13 trunk road to the north, Barking Creek to the east, the Royal Docks to the south, and Prince Regent Lane to the west. The area around Prince Regent Lane is also known as Custom House...
and Nelson Reach off Redriff Road in Surrey Quays
Surrey Quays
Surrey Quays is a name given to a largely residential area of Rotherhithe in south-east London, occupied until 1970 by the Surrey Commercial Docks...
where want to be buyers waited all night to be first in line to buy on the development. Other successful developments were Spirit Quay in Wapping
Wapping
Wapping is a place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets which forms part of the Docklands to the east of the City of London. It is situated between the north bank of the River Thames and the ancient thoroughfare simply called The Highway...
and Greenland Quay, all of which are still as extremely popular now as they were when they were built.
Divisions
Broseley Estates' main head office was based at Bond Street and Lord Street in Leigh, Lancashire. In 1986 the company had regional offices at: Leigh - Airdrie, Scotland - Thornaby on Tees, Cleveland - Wakefield, Yorkshire - Liverpool - Nottingham - Luton - Bracknell, Berkshire - Stratford, London - Exeter, DevonEnd of an era
1986 saw the end of Broseley's reign when Danny Horrocks suffered a series of heart attacks. After a long relationship lasting over thirty years, Royal ExchangeRoyal Exchange Assurance Corporation
The Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation, founded in 1720, was a British insurance company. It took its name from the location of its offices at the Royal Exchange, London.-Origins:...
decided without Horrocks it would not be able to continue to run the company efficiently.
Broseley Estates was sold to Trafalgar House
Trafalgar House
Trafalgar House may refer to:*Trafalgar House , a defunct British conglomerate*Trafalgar House , a country house in Wiltshire, England associated with the Earl Nelson family....
in December 1986 – January 1987 for 71 million and subsequently integrated into Trafalgar House's New Ideal Homes Brand.
Only one of Broseley's original ten regional offices still exists today now trading as Persimmon Homes South West in the same premises at Mallard Road, Exeter, following Persimmons takeover of Ideal Homes in 1996
Some of the Broseley Houses and Developments built in the 1980s