Colbran & Wingrove Since 1967

We’re very proud to be celebrating our 50th year this year.

Here’s our story of how Colbran & Wingrove established in 1967.

Local carpenters Terry Colbran and Derek Wingrove had been working together on housing sites for some time when, in 1967, new Government legislation heralded additional taxation on employed tradesmen. It was the catalyst for Colbran & Wingrove, with Terry and Derek deciding to leave employment and start their own business.

Initially, they subcontracted to building companies whilst also developing their own private work. Before long they had created a substantial client base and had sufficient trade to establish Colbran & Wingrove as a building company in its own right.

With the long, hot summer of 1976 and a tough recession however, trade became difficult across the industry, and for the partnership. Derek left the company but Terry continued, retaining the name.

Over the next few years, an upturn in work saw the company grow and develop its reputation locally, particularly for extensions and structural alterations to homes. With an increasing number of clients the company went from strength to strength.

For many years, Terry and his wife Hilary managed the business before appointing an additional manager and director to join them in the mid 90s to support their continued expansion. Their son Russell, now qualified and with experience working across a wide range of commercial and residential projects for Walter Llewellyn & Sons, also then joined the company and worked with Terry until his retirement in 2003. Russell and wife, Judy, subsequently took over Colbran & Wingrove and appointed Martin Tonks to join them as a further director soon after.

According to Russell, “We have been very fortunate over the years. We have a great team and we continue to serve a loyal and still growing client base. The step from private client work to commercial building services was also very positive for the company. It’s seen our portfolio diversify with a broad range of projects and contracts both in Eastbourne and the surrounding areas. Today, we enjoy the reputation that comes with being such a well-established company – one that we are extremely proud of – and the exciting changes that come with taking the business forward.

“At 50 years, Colbran & Wingrove now stands as the longest established independent building contractors locally, having traded continuously since 1967 under first and second generation family ownership.”

March 2017