MILESTONES 1968-2026

Sutcliffe Construction 1968 to 2026

Our story began over 50 years ago when David Sutcliffe gave up working on a farm to become a self-employed building contractor. His work was good, his prices were reasonable and he always had an idea – or three – about how to make a project better.

Five decades later, we’ve grown a lot bigger with a team of 50 professionals working on projects ranging from £50,000 to £10 million plus.

But those three elements – quality, keen prices and extra-value – are just as important to Sutcliffe Construction today as they were back in the 1960s.

We remain a privately-owned family business with deep roots in our home county of Yorkshire.

It’s been a wonderful journey so far….

1960s - How it all began

1968

David Sutcliffe – aged 17 – went self-employed as a building contractor and began rebuilding dry stone walls for farmers following the installation of a new drainage system in Malham.

1969

David added new skills including groundworks, laying concrete floors, and the construction of agricultural buildings.

1970s - Laying the foundations

1970

A £500 loan secured a diesel Land Rover, trailer and concrete mixer and our first business telephone number – Airton 364.

1975

Bought and erected the first agricultural kit-frame building.

1980s - Becoming a main contractor

1981

Bashall Town New Farm Complex (now Bashall Barn) – our first complete site construction. Turnover almost hits £100,000.

1985

Purchased Goal Farm, Hellifield and started to build our own offices and steel fabrication plant. Renamed Goal Works, it remains our HQ.

1987

Craven Recovery Services in Skipton was the first steel-framed commercial building we made and erected.

1990s - A growing family business

1991

David’s son – James Sutcliffe joins the business aged 16. With 8 full-time staff, turnover hits £250,000.

1993

Our first major construction job in the Northeast was a new factory roof for Homeworthy Furniture in Sunderland, part of Silentnight.

1997

A new steel fabrication plant is built at Goal Works expanding our production capacity. Turnover doubles to £1 million. 3-D Modelling introduced as the Sutcon goes digital. First 3-D project was Maxi’s in York.

1998

Carr Print, Barnoldswick – our largest project to date at 7,440 sqm. We extended the site for Hope Technology in 2015.

2000s - Expanding and developing

2001

Sam Allen, now a director, and first full-time estimator Malcolm Beresford join Sutcliffe. Turnover hits £2 million.

2004

The completion of Giggleswick School’s custom designed sports hall was our third, and a big step forward in two sectors – education and sports. Staff number totals 14.

2006

Siesta Holidays’ new HQ in Middlesbrough is our first job worth over £1 million.

2007

Sutcliffe appoints James as Managing Director. Turnover passes the £4 million mark.

2010s - New sectors and prestigious projects

2010

First project for Cawingredients – 12,000sqm soft-drinks factory – at the time, our largest project by size and value.

2011

Completion of the iconic and prestigious Ilkley Rugby Club

2014

Aggregate Industries’ new asphalt plant at Heathrow Airport is our tallest building at 35 metres – steel frame made by us.

2016

Support local hammer-thrower, Jess Mayho, now British Champion and fell-runner Mark McGoldrick.

2017

Finished the renovation and restoration of Alexanders’ Bar & Restaurant in Skipton.

2018

Directors, James and Sam partnered with residential building expert, Harry Croft to create the Sutcliffe Residential division.

2019

Completion of 25m eaves automated warehouse extension for Next PLC in South Elmsall

2020

Completion of 120m long fabrication shop for longstanding client Byworth Boilers. The building houses a 50T crane requiring piled foundation solution

2021

Completion of one of Europe’s largest indoor play areas for Stockeld Park with ETFE roof

2022

Completion of four buildings for Harrogate West Business Park including new estate road and attenuation pond

2023

Langcliffe Quarry Enterprise Centre including restoration, refurbishment and new build units to create 26,000 sq ft of light industrial use located on the former site of Craven Lime Works

2024

Expansion of the award winning Courtyard Dairy including a restaurant, cheese production space and cheese maturing basement, over three floors and connecting into the original stone barn premises

2025

Kathryn Tebb is appointed as Finance Director after 12 years of running the Accounts Department.

2026

Turnover surpasses £20m with us winning our largest contract to date.

Rory Smith is appointed as Operations Director.

Sutcliffe Construction 1968 to 2026

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