A FAMILY IN CONSTRUCTION

Stone Mason James Hapgood (1863 – 1924) was a foreman during construction of John Ryland Library, Deansgate, Manchester, later becoming self employed.  

His son Arthur Hapgood (1894 – 1975) moved from Manchester to Rhyl in 1928, working on many notable buildings in the area and building many houses. In 1946 he was joined in the business by his son James Alfred Hapgood (1920 – 1992) and following a period of general contracting and house building in the 1950’s they developed the business to a more joinery orientated operation, which by the early 1960’s was completing, shop and barfitting installations throughout the UK. The company was incorporated as Arthur Hapgood Ltd in 1962 and throughout the 1960’s travelled the country extensively fitting retail shops for among others Peter Wood, Jenny Jones, and Maypole supermarkets. During the 1970’s and 1980’s the workload shifted towards financial institutions, National Westminster Bank, Trustee Savings Bank and the growing building societies becoming major clients.

James Hapgoods son Ian Hapgood joined the company in 1983, having graduated in Civil & Structural Engineering from Cardiff University in 1980, returning from working as a Civil Engineer in South Africa, to assist James who was suffering ill health. During the next 30 years the company excelled in the specialist fitout market throughout the UK working as a main contractor on Court facilities, Bank & Office fitouts and interiors generally, but also as a specialist subcontractor on debating chambers, reception areas, counters, partitions etc. The move to spacious premises in Kinmel Bay during 2000 was a corporate milestone, providing a superior spacious working environment in a prime A55 location. During this period the company many completed landmark fitouts including the highest commercial building in UK, Cafe Eryri on Snowdon. From 2010 onwards as a response to complex procurement procedures which increasingly hampered SME companies the family gradually reduced its focus on general interior contracting to become the contracting arm for the growing Hapgood Workspace property portfolio, developing the potential of new acquisitions, and providing in house fitout solutions for our tenants. Ian’s sons Will, (Accounting), James, (Quantity Surveying) & Jack (Electrical) now assist in operations of Arthur Hapgood Ltd and Hapgood Developments Ltd.