William Leech plc
{{Infobox company
| name = William Leech plc
| logo =
| caption =
| fate = Acquired
| successor = Beazer
| foundation = 1934
| defunct = 1985
| location = Tyneside
| industry = Housebuilding
| key_people = William Leech (Chairman and founder)
| products =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| subsid = }}
William Leech plc was a major Tyneside housebuilder.
History
The company was established by William Leech, a former window cleaner in 1934{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-416000-585000/page/11|title=William Leech - Builder|publisher=BBC|access-date=7 October 2012}} as William Leech (Builders) Ltd.{{cite web|url=http://www.charityperformance.com/charity-details.php?id=12888|title=The William Leech Foundation Limited - The Foundation Trust|access-date=7 October 2012}} It bought very large landholdings in the Cramlington areaCullingworth, p. 240 and was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1976 when its name was changed to William Leech plc. It achieved an output of 2,500 units in 1979.Ball, p. 60 It announced a merger with Bellway in 1981 but this was called off within days: "the lifestyle of the two firms looked pretty incompatible".Building, June 1981
The company was then acquired by Beazer in 1985. The company retained its brand and Newcastle head office until Beazer itself was acquired by Persimmon in 2001, following which both brands were phased out.{{Cite web |date=2001-08-29 |title=Persimmon's profits take off after Beazer takeover |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7100288.persimmons-profits-take-off-beazer-takeover/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=The Northern Echo |language=en}} The Leech Homes name was revived by Persimmon in 2005 as a brand aimed at housing for the over-55s.{{Cite web |last=Chronicle |first=Evening |date=2005-09-30 |title=William Leech brand to target over-55s |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/william-leech-brand-target-over-55s-1591633 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Chronicle Live |language=en}} As of 2025, it remains registered with Companies House as a dormant company, still in the ownership of Persimmon plc. {{Cite web |title=LEECH HOMES LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00320868/filing-history |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
Sources
- {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ODuGMKQPZYC&q=%22Ideal+Building+Corporation%22&pg=PA74|title=Housing Policy and Economic Power: The Political Economy of Owner Occupation|first=Michael |last=Ball|year=1983|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0416352801}}
- {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gq6glh_ILtwC&q=William+Leech+house+builder&pg=PA240|title=British Planning: 50 Years of Urban and Regional Policy|first=Barry |last=Cullingworth|year=1970|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|isbn=978-0485006049}}
{{Construction industry of the United Kingdom}}
Category:Housebuilding companies of the United Kingdom