Construction News: A History of the UK's Leading Industry Publication
For over a century and a half, Construction News has served as a vital information hub for the building and infrastructure sectors. From its humble beginnings as a tool to combat unemployment to its current status as a digital-first industry leader, the publication has evolved alongside the very industry it reports on.
Early History and Evolution
The publication first entered the market on 30 August 1871 under the title Labour News. It was founded by Alsager Hay Hill, a Victorian reformer who aimed to alleviate the blight of unemployment by providing a dedicated space for job vacancy information.
As the industry shifted, so did the magazine's identity. On 14 March 1963, it was renamed Construction and Labour News, before finally adopting its current title, Construction News, on 9 April 1964.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Corporate Ownership and Growth
Throughout the late 20th century, the publication underwent several significant ownership changes. Originally owned by the Thomson Corporation, it was acquired by Emap in August 1995 for £7.6 million. At the time of this acquisition, the magazine reported a 1994 turnover of £4.0 million and a paid-for circulation of 30,000.
Under Emap, the publication reached a peak weekly print circulation of 42,000. However, as media consumption habits shifted toward digital platforms, print numbers declined. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), circulation dropped to 9,110 for the year ending 30 June 2013, and further to 7,926 by June 2015.
The Digital Transition
To adapt to the modern era, the publication launched its website, CNplus, in 2002. In December 2015, the site transitioned to its current domain, constructionnews.co.uk. While the parent company, Top Right Group (formerly Emap), briefly planned to scrap print editions entirely in October 2015, those plans were put on hold, allowing the print magazine to persist.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Expanding the Brand: Awards and Events
Construction News expanded its influence beyond the page by establishing high-profile industry events:
- Construction News Awards: Launched in 1997 as the Quality in Construction Awards and renamed in 2011. In 2014, it was recognized as the Best Awards Event at the annual Conference Awards.
- Specialists Awards: Introduced in 2004 to honor the contributions of specialist contractors and subcontractors.
- Construction News Summit: Launched in 2013 as a networking and forecasting event, featuring prominent figures such as former chancellor Alistair Darling and planning minister Nick Boles.
Recent Ownership and Modern Era
In December 2015, Top Right Group rebranded as Ascential. By January 2017, Ascential announced the sale of 13 "heritage titles," including Construction News. These were purchased by Metropolis International Ltd—the owners of Property Week since 2013—in a cash deal worth £23.5 million on 1 June 2017.
The publication's leadership has also seen transitions, with Colin Marrs succeeding Lem Bingley as editor in May 2022. Bingley had previously taken over from Tom Fitzpatrick in July 2019.
Marking its 150th year of publication in 2021, the magazine underwent a major structural change, switching from weekly to monthly distribution. The final weekly edition was published on 19 March 2021.
Key Facts
- Founded: 30 August 1871 (as Labour News).
- Current Owner: Metropolis International Ltd (acquired 2017 for £23.5m).
- Peak Circulation: 42,000 weekly copies.
- Digital Launch: CNplus launched in 2002.
- Frequency Change: Switched from weekly to monthly print in March 2021.
| Year | Event/Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1871 | Foundation | Launched as Labour News by Alsager Hay Hill |
| 1964 | Rebranding | First published as Construction News |
| 1995 | Acquisition | Purchased by Emap for £7.6m |
| 2002 | Digital Expansion | Launch of CNplus website |
| 2017 | Ownership Change | Purchased by Metropolis International Ltd for £23.5m |
| 2021 | Distribution Shift | Moved from weekly to monthly print editions |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original purpose of Construction News?
Originally founded as Labour News in 1871, the publication was created by reformer Alsager Hay Hill to help reduce unemployment by printing information about available job vacancies.
When did the magazine change its name to Construction News?
The publication officially adopted the title Construction News on 9 April 1964, following a previous iteration as Construction and Labour News in 1963.
Who currently owns Construction News?
Construction News is owned by Metropolis International Ltd, which acquired the title and 12 other heritage brands from Ascential in June 2017 for £23.5 million.
Is Construction News still published in print?
Yes, although there were plans to go digital-only in 2015, those plans were put on hold. However, in March 2021, the print edition transitioned from a weekly to a monthly distribution schedule.
What industry events are associated with the publication?
The publication hosts the Construction News Awards (est. 1997), the Specialists Awards (est. 2004), and the Construction News Summit (est. 2013).