A.BURSLEM & SON LIMITED

💤Zombieactive
00190385 · ltd · incorporated 1923-06-02
Investment thesis
Zombie company — trading but stalled; unlikely mover.
Why interesting: Quiet, steady; could be a succession or carve-out candidate with the right conversation.
Why risky: No growth signal; thin margin for error on price.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Dec 2024
Net worth
£110.6k
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
🔔
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What this business does
Primary activity: Other building completion and finishing
Sector: Construction
ALSO REGISTERED FOR
  • 43999Other specialised construction activities n.e.c.
Investor take
Pursue
Strong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and acceptable with review structure.

Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 62/100. Strong seller-intent signal (62/100, director aged 58). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 4 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

7 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 50.2y

15/100
under pressure

Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.

  • · Oldest live charge is 50.2 years old — likely at or near maturity.
  • · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
  • · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.

Data confidence

Overall: high (80/100)

Strong data coverage across all sections. AI outputs should be trusted with minimal caveats.

Company profile
address, 2 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
7 charges (7/7 with lender, 7/7 with type)
90
Directors & officers
17 officers (2 active, 17 linked, 12 with DOB)
84
Ownership & PSC
2 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
3 connected companies via shared directors
54
Filing history
144 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
79/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional 

Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.

Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
80
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.

Signals from accounts

Derived from iXBRL accounts · accounting standard not declared
Positive net assets
Net assets £110,616
Net assets shrinking
Down £65,962 YoY

Key financials

2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accounts
Cash
£31k
Net Worth
£111k
↓ 37% YoY
Current Assets
£120k
↓ 33% YoY
Current Liabilities
—
£0£36k£72k£108k£144k£180kDec 2023Dec 2024

Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series

Financials

Extracted from Companies House accounts · accounting standard unknown
Metric2024-12-312023-12-31
Total assets£110.6k£176.6k
Current assets£120.0k£180.2k
Cash£30.9k—
Debtors£89.1k£180.2k
Net assets£110.6k£176.6k

Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.

🔒Filing-note intelligence

1 signal detected in this company's narrative notes — going-concern language, audit opinion, contingent liabilities, related-party transactions.

Available from the Pro tier upwards.

See pricing →

Recent activity

Last 30 days
1
filing
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 90 days
1
filing
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
1
filing
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (52 events)Click to expand
  1. 2025-09-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  2. 2024-09-26
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  3. 2023-08-01
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  4. 2023-05-05
    📄
    change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
  5. 2023-05-05
    📄
    notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC01
  6. 2023-04-15
    📄
    capital-name-of-class-of-shares
    capital · SH08
  7. 2023-03-27
    📄
    change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
  8. 2022-09-29
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  9. 2021-09-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  10. 2020-12-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  11. 2020-12-08
    📄
    cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
  12. 2019-10-01
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  13. 2018-09-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  14. 2018-06-13
    📄
    gazette-filings-brought-up-to-date
    gazette · DISS40
  15. 2018-06-12
    📄
    gazette-notice-compulsory
    gazette · GAZ1
  16. 2013-08-29
    ➕
    HALL, David Sandford appointed
    secretary
  17. 2013-08-29
    ➖
    LELLIOTT, Paul resigned
    secretary
  18. 2013-08-29
    ➖
    LELLIOTT, Paul resigned
    director
  19. 2013-07-30
    ➖
    ABRAMS, Drummond Ernest resigned
    secretary
  20. 2013-07-30
    ➕
    LELLIOTT, Paul appointed
    secretary
  21. 2013-07-30
    ➖
    ABRAMS, Drummond Ernest resigned
    director
  22. 2013-07-30
    ➖
    HALL, Christopher Sandford resigned
    director
  23. 2013-07-30
    ➖
    HALL, Rebecca Jane resigned
    director
  24. 2013-07-30
    ➕
    LELLIOTT, Paul appointed
    director
  25. 2013-07-30
    ➖
    PHILPS, William Richard resigned
    director
  26. 2011-12-01
    ➕
    PHILPS, William Richard appointed
    director
  27. 2009-04-28
    🔒
    Charge registered #7
    Lender: David Sandford Hall and Rebecca Jane Hall
  28. 2009-04-28
    🔒
    Charge registered #6
    Lender: Christopher Sandford Hall and Susanna Marion Hall
  29. 2008-08-05
    ➕
    HALL, Rebecca Jane appointed
    director
  30. 2003-12-31
    ➖
    POWELL, Michael George resigned
    director
  31. 2001-06-02
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #4
  32. 2001-03-19
    🔒
    Charge registered #5
    Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
  33. 2000-04-03
    ➖
    NEWTON, Gordon William resigned
    director
  34. 2000-03-11
    ➕
    ABRAMS, Drummond Ernest appointed
    secretary
  35. 2000-03-10
    ➖
    JENNINGS, John David resigned
    secretary
  36. 2000-03-10
    ➖
    JENNINGS, John David resigned
    director
  37. 1999-05-11
    ➕
    HALL, David Sandford appointed
    director
  38. 1998-12-17
    ➕
    ABRAMS, Drummond Ernest appointed
    director
  39. 1996-01-15
    ➕
    JENNINGS, John David appointed
    secretary
  40. 1995-11-22
    ➖
    DARLOW, Robert Hampton resigned
    director
  41. 1995-06-06
    ➖
    BARDEN, Brian resigned
    secretary
  42. 1994-07-14
    ➕
    POWELL, Michael George appointed
    director
  43. 1993-04-07
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #3
  44. 1993-04-05
    🔒
    Charge registered #4
    Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
  45. 1993-03-18
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #2
  46. 1993-03-18
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #1
  47. 1993-01-29
    ➖
    BURSLEM, Vida Gatland resigned
    director
  48. 1992-12-23
    🔒
    Charge registered #3
    Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
  49. 1991-10-01
    ➖
    HOAD, James John resigned
    director
  50. 1976-03-09
    🔒
    Charge registered #2
    Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
Showing most recent 50 of 52 events

Owner dependency

93/100
Critical — business is the founder

The business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.

FACTORS
  • +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
  • +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 27 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
  • +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 58 — approaching natural succession window.

Succession & seller-readiness

85/100
Likely off-market candidate

Strong acquirability signals converging. Worth approaching directly — this is how off-market deals start.

SIGNALS
  • secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 58. Early succession window.
  • primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
  • primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 27 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
  • secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 103 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.
  • supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.

Red flags

1 med ·
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
medium

Multiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.

Shareholders & ownership

2 active beneficial owners
NameSharesVoting rightsNature of controlNotified
Mrs Rebecca Jane Hall
Individual · British · DOB 05/1970 · age 56
25–50%
50–75%50-75% shares · 50-75% voting03/04/2023
Mr David Sandford Hall
Individual · British · DOB 11/1968 · age 58
25–50%
25–50%25-50% shares · 25-50% voting06/04/2016
1 historic (ceased) PSC
  • Mr Christopher Sandford Hallceased 07/12/2020· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting

From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.

🔒Co-director network graph

Radial SVG graph showing every company connected via shared directors, colour-coded by status.

Available from the Pro tier upwards.

See pricing →

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Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions

8 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.

Available from the Pro tier upwards.

See pricing →
🔒Advanced scoring suite

Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.

Available from the Pro tier upwards.

See pricing →

Company details

Statusactive
Typeltd
Incorporated1923-06-02
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC43390 — Other building completion and finishing

Registered office

Stubby Grove Works Bells Yew Green Road
Frant
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN3 9BT

Filing status

Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-05-19
Last: 2026-05-05

Officers (2 active · 15 resigned)

HALL, David Sandford→
secretary · appointed 2013-08-29
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
HALL, David Sandford→
director · ~58y · appointed 1999-05-11
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
ABRAMS, Drummond Ernest→
secretary · appointed 2000-03-11 · resigned 2013-07-30
Resigned
BARDEN, Brian→
secretary · resigned 1995-06-06
Resigned
JENNINGS, John David→
secretary · appointed 1996-01-15 · resigned 2000-03-10
Resigned
LELLIOTT, Paul→
secretary · appointed 2013-07-30 · resigned 2013-08-29
Resigned
ABRAMS, Drummond Ernest→
director · ~93y · appointed 1998-12-17 · resigned 2013-07-30
Resigned
BURSLEM, Vida Gatland→
director · ~114y · resigned 1993-01-29
Resigned
DARLOW, Robert Hampton→
director · ~82y · resigned 1995-11-22
Resigned
HALL, Christopher Sandford→
director · ~90y · resigned 2013-07-30
Resigned
HALL, Rebecca Jane→
director · ~56y · appointed 2008-08-05 · resigned 2013-07-30
Resigned
HOAD, James John→
director · ~100y · resigned 1991-10-01
Resigned
JENNINGS, John David→
director · ~101y · resigned 2000-03-10
Resigned
LELLIOTT, Paul→
director · ~63y · appointed 2013-07-30 · resigned 2013-08-29
Resigned
NEWTON, Gordon William→
director · ~78y · resigned 2000-04-03
Resigned
PHILPS, William Richard→
director · ~80y · appointed 2011-12-01 · resigned 2013-07-30
Resigned
POWELL, Michael George→
director · ~79y · appointed 1994-07-14 · resigned 2003-12-31
Resigned

Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.

Mortgages & charges

7
Total charges
3
Outstanding
3
Active lenders
Status:Lender:7 of 7 shown
TypeProperties
outstanding
David Sandford Hall and Rebecca Jane Hall
Legal charge1 property28/04/2009—
outstanding
Christopher Sandford Hall and Susanna Marion Hall
Legal charge1 property28/04/2009—
outstanding
Barclays
Barclays Bank PLC
Legal charge1 property19/03/2001—
satisfied
Barclays
Barclays Bank PLC
Legal charge1 property05/04/199302/06/2001
satisfied
Barclays
Barclays Bank PLC
Legal charge1 property23/12/199207/04/1993
satisfied
National Westminster Bank
National Westminster Bank PLC
Legal mortgage1 property09/03/197618/03/1993
satisfied
National Westminster Bank
National Westminster Bank PLC
Legal mortgage1 property09/03/197618/03/1993
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.

Recent filings (144 total)

confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-05-05
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-09-30
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-05-09
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-09-26
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-05-07
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2023-08-01
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-05-05
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2023-05-05
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC01
2023-05-05
capital-name-of-class-of-shares
capital · SH08
2023-04-15
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2023-03-27
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-03-27
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2022-09-29
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-04-05
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2021-09-30