Avebury chief warns over social housing jobs

Chief executive of failed construction group Avebury International is warning of more pain for companies operating in the public housing sector.

Timber frame manufacturer Pinewood Structures stepped in to save consultancy business Avebury Projects, but 45 jobs were still lost at the parent, Avebury International, which was brought down by delayed or cancelled contracting jobs.

Avebury chief executive Gareth Lewis, who has joined Pinewood, said: "We were caught by the speed of the recession in the public housing sector.

"We had £60m-worth of contracting work pulled by RSLs [registered social landlords] between December and March and couldn't cope.

"RSLs were pulling the schemes because they were nervous about the market or because valuers were down-valuing schemes' feasibility.

"Most of the people I know found other jobs and what we're doing now is focusing on consultancy and not doing any contracting at all.

"Whether you're a main contractor or a subcontractor, there is going to be some serious pain out there."

Avebury's contracting arm had three live jobs, including 36 Boklok timber-frame homes in Gateshead for Live Smart, which local outfit Camerons is building out after three weeks of delays.

Avebury Projects was also working on a partnering deal with Liverpool RSL Riverside and constructing 80 flats in Market Harborough for Luminous.