ACORN PROPERTIES (NORTH) LIMITED
💤Zombieactive
04661208 · ltd · incorporated 2003-02-10
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
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
43/100
Watch
What this business does
Primary activity: Other construction installation
Sector: Construction
Investor take
Pass (distressed without resilience)Distressed admin-neglect survivor — structural issues outweigh the discount.
Opportunity 43/100 (watch), bankability 2/100. Strong seller-intent signal (65/100, director aged 64). Asset purchase likely safer than share purchase given structural signals. Biggest value-creation lever: File overdue accounts. Clears statutory overdue flag — immediate bankability uplift for refinance conversations. Most likely exit: asset disposal / carve-out (80/100). Current lenders should be on immediate intervention.
🏦
Refinance opportunity
10 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 22.2y
15/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 22.2 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.
Data confidence
Overall: low (49/100)Sparse data coverage. Treat AI-generated outputs as preliminary. Manual diligence essential.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
10 charges (10/10 with lender, 10/10 with type)
90
Directors & officers
6 officers (1 active, 6 linked, 2 with DOB)
77
Ownership & PSC
No PSCs filed (unusual — worth investigating)
35
Director network
8 connected companies via shared directors
69
Filing history
56 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
43/100Watch
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Not actionable now, but monitor — distressed, succession, or structural changes could flip this into a real opportunity.
Business quality
15
Concerning — overdue filings or status flags present.
Acquirability
80
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
12
Multiple red flags — proceed with caution.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
0
filings
Last 180 days
0
filings
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (51 events)Click to expand
- 2014-05-20📄restoration-order-of-courtrestoration · AC92
- 2013-08-29⚠️gazette-dissolved-liquidationgazette · GAZ2
- 2013-06-11⚠️liquidation-in-administration-progress-report-with-brought-down-dateinsolvency · 2.24B
- 2013-05-29⚠️liquidation-in-administration-move-to-dissolutioninsolvency · 2.35B
- 2013-01-23⚠️liquidation-in-administration-progress-report-with-brought-down-dateinsolvency · 2.24B
- 2012-10-17📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-addressaddress · AD01
- 2012-09-27⚠️liquidation-in-administration-statement-of-affairs-with-form-attachedinsolvency · 2.16B
- 2012-09-18⚠️liquidation-in-administration-result-creditors-meetinginsolvency · 2.23B
- 2012-08-23⚠️liquidation-in-administration-proposalsinsolvency · 2.17B
- 2012-07-10⚠️liquidation-in-administration-appointment-of-administratorinsolvency · 2.12B
- 2012-03-08📄annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholdersannual-return · AR01
- 2011-11-29📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-smallaccounts · AA
- 2011-11-01📄legacymortgage · MG01
- 2011-11-01📄legacymortgage · MG01
- 2011-10-28🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Haydock Finance Limited
- 2011-10-28🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Haydock Finance Limited
- 2011-03-11📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-smallaccounts · AA
- 2011-02-21📄annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholdersannual-return · AR01
- 2010-02-22📄annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholdersannual-return · AR01
- 2010-02-19📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2010-01-18📄legacymortgage · MG02
- 2010-01-15🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2009-12-18📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-smallaccounts · AA
- 2009-07-16📄legacyofficers · 288b
- 2009-07-16📄legacyofficers · 288b
- 2009-06-19➖HARRISON, Anne Marie resignedsecretary
- 2009-06-17📄legacyannual-return · 363a
- 2009-03-10📄accounts-amended-with-made-up-dateaccounts · AAMD
- 2008-12-19📄legacymortgage · 395
- 2008-12-12🔒Charge registered #8Lender: Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
- 2008-03-27🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
- 2007-06-07🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2007-06-05🔒Charge registered #6Lender: The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
- 2006-11-02🔒Charge registered #5Lender: The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
- 2006-10-24🔒Charge registered #4Lender: The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
- 2006-09-27➖ADAMS, Rachel Rebecca resignedsecretary
- 2006-09-27➕HARRISON, Anne Marie appointedsecretary
- 2006-09-27➖ADAMS, Rachel Rebecca resigneddirector
- 2005-07-05🔒Charge registered #3Lender: The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
- 2005-05-06🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2005-04-07🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2004-06-01🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2004-05-26🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2003-02-10🏢Company incorporatedAs ACORN PROPERTIES (NORTH) LIMITED
- 2003-02-10➕COOKE, Paul appointeddirector
- 2003-02-10➕ADAMS, Rachel Rebecca appointedsecretary
- 2003-02-10➕TEMPLE SECRETARIES LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 2003-02-10➖TEMPLE SECRETARIES LIMITED resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 2003-02-10➕ADAMS, Rachel Rebecca appointeddirector
- 2003-02-10➕COMPANY DIRECTORS LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-director
Showing most recent 50 of 51 events
Owner dependency
93/100
Critical — business is the founderThe 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 23 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 64 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
90/100
Likely off-market candidateStrong acquirability signals converging. Worth approaching directly — this is how off-market deals start.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 64. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
- primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 23 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 23 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.
Red flags
3 high · 2 med · 1 lowAccounts overdue
highStatutory accounts have not been filed by their due date. Can indicate admin breakdown, cash preservation, or deliberate delay.
Evidence: Next due: 2012-11-30
Confirmation statement overdue
highAnnual confirmation statement not filed on time. Required statutory filing — overdue is a strong discipline signal.
Evidence: Next due: 2017-02-24
8 insolvency-related filings on record
highFilings relating to insolvency, liquidation, or administration exist in the company's history. Review before proceeding.
Evidence: 2013-08-29: gazette-dissolved-liquidation; 2013-06-11: liquidation-in-administration-progress-report-with-brought-down-date
Has insolvency history
mediumCompanies House flags prior insolvency events. Review the insolvency filings for context.
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
6 live charges
lowHeavily leveraged with multiple live security positions — understand the capital structure before proceeding.
🔒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 →Similar companies
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A D T DECOR LIMITED→ 09475153 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 11y | — | — |
| A. CUMBERLIDGE LIMITED→ 01182158 · est 1974 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 51y | — | — |
| ACC ELECTRICAL SERVICES (UK) LIMITED→ 09013169 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 11y | — | — |
| AD POWER SOLUTIONS LIMITED→ 16328171 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AD STEEL FIXERS LTD→ 15579208 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ADAM HOMECARE DESIGNS LIMITED→ 03140529 · est 1995 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 30y | — | — |
| ADAM RUSSELL CONSTRUCTION LTD→ 15185017 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ADAMS BUILDERS LIMITED→ 17081829 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ADAPT BRICKWORK LTD→ 15492510 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ADAPT INTERIORS LTD→ 10831911 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| ADAPTAFIT PROPERTY SOLUTIONS LTD→ 17089217 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ADB JOINERY LIMITED→ 12120770 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
13 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
Incorporated2003-02-10
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC43290 — Other construction installation
Registered office
4th Floor Leopold Street Wing
The Fountain Precinct
Sheffield
S1 2JA
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2012-11-30OVERDUE
Last made up to: 2011-02-28
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2017-02-24OVERDUE
Last: —
Officers (1 active · 5 resigned)
Active
ADAMS, Rachel Rebecca→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2003-02-10 · resigned 2006-09-27
HARRISON, Anne Marie→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2006-09-27 · resigned 2009-06-19
TEMPLE SECRETARIES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2003-02-10 · resigned 2003-02-10
ADAMS, Rachel Rebecca→
Resigneddirector · ~60y · appointed 2003-02-10 · resigned 2006-09-27
COMPANY DIRECTORS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-director · appointed 2003-02-10 · resigned 2003-02-10
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
10
Total charges
6
Outstanding
2
Active lenders
Status:Lender:10 of 10 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Haydock Finance Haydock Finance Limited | Debenture | 1 property | 28/10/2011 | — | |
| outstanding | Haydock Finance Haydock Finance Limited | Legal charge | 2 properties | 28/10/2011 | — | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 12/12/2008 | — | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 27/03/2008 | — | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 05/06/2007 | 15/01/2010 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 02/11/2006 | 07/06/2007 | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 24/10/2006 | — | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 05/07/2005 | — | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 01/06/2004 | 07/04/2005 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 26/05/2004 | 06/05/2005 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (56 total)
restoration-order-of-court
restoration · AC92
2014-05-20
gazette-dissolved-liquidation
gazette · GAZ2
2013-08-29
liquidation-in-administration-progress-report-with-brought-down-date
insolvency · 2.24B
2013-06-11
liquidation-in-administration-move-to-dissolution
insolvency · 2.35B
2013-05-29
liquidation-in-administration-progress-report-with-brought-down-date
insolvency · 2.24B
2013-01-23
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address
address · AD01
2012-10-17
liquidation-in-administration-statement-of-affairs-with-form-attached
insolvency · 2.16B
2012-09-27
liquidation-in-administration-result-creditors-meeting
insolvency · 2.23B
2012-09-18
liquidation-in-administration-proposals
insolvency · 2.17B
2012-08-23
liquidation-in-administration-appointment-of-administrator
insolvency · 2.12B
2012-07-10
annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholders
annual-return · AR01
2012-03-08
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-small
accounts · AA
2011-11-29
legacy
mortgage · MG01
2011-11-01
legacy
mortgage · MG01
2011-11-01
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-small
accounts · AA
2011-03-11