Back in 1950, our Founder, Pat Hanifan, scraped together enough money to purchase one second-hand lorry, a handful of materials, and the rent for premises in a bombed-out churchyard in Westminster. Coventry Scaffolding was born. Over the seven decades that have followed, we’ve grown to become one of London’s leading independent scaffolders.
1950s
The age of scaffolding
The 1950s was a time of re-building across the country. Following the extensive damage left by the WWII, scaffolds were required for the repair and reconstruction of many ruined structures. The time was ripe for establishing a new scaffolding company. Following his time in the Royal Navy, Pat Hanifan was working in a fruit and vegetable business, when his brother, Maurice, encouraged him to start his own scaffolding firm. With the help of five Hanifan siblings, he raised the funds to purchase a lorry and the materials required to set up Coventry Scaffolding.
Humble beginnings
The company began small, with rented premises in a local bombed out churchyard in Westminster. However, it soon began to grow, moving to a new location in Regency Street. The staff expanded to include a few more Hanifan brothers and Maurice’s son, John, a future Managing Director. As the decade drew to a close, Coventry took on its first major scaffolding job at the De Havilland Factory in Leavesden. The Ministry of Technology also approached Coventry to test power cradles in Scotland, prompting the company’s subsequent involvement in cradle work and the eventual establishment of its power access division.
1960s
A groundbreaking project
Throughout the 1960s, Coventry Scaffolding continued to grow, in size and reputation. The company was involved in the groundbreaking ‘Operation Winter Working’ at the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works in Whitehall. During the project, scaffold towers were wrapped in plastic sheeting (an industry first) and heaters were installed at the bottom, to raise the temperature so painters and decorators could work throughout the cold winter months.
Nelson’s first clean
Coventry also landed one of its most iconic projects, providing safe access for stonemasons to clean and restore Nelson’s Column for the first time. The refurbishment garnered a great deal of press attention, with Coventry receiving a commendation from the Ministry of Public Building and Works as a result. In the wake of this high-profile project, the company moved to a larger premises in East Dulwich; where it remained for the next 25 years.
1970s
Going above and beyond
The 1970s were a time of political unrest, with terrorist bombings causing damage to many London buildings. In October 1971, the Post Office Tower was damaged in an alleged IRA bomb plot. Within hours, Pat and his team were on the scene to construct a rig for access. When the firemen refused to enter the building, Coventry cradle-hand, Benny Watts, stepped up and removed the twisted metal debris himself, receiving the BEM for bravery as a result.
The emergency scaffolders
Coventry proved adept at quickly providing scaffolding to keep structures safe, prompting the company to become known for its 24/7 emergency scaffolding service. In July 1974, an IRA bomb ripped through the armoury of the Tower of London while Coventry’s team was working on site; they were instrumental in getting wounded people out of the building to safety. The company continued to grow during this decade, with Pat’s son, Paul, joining in 1972 and the company winning more large scaffolding contracts, including projects at the Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street and the Natural History Museum.
1980s
The next generation
Many of Coventry Scaffolding’s original employees reached retirement age during the 1980s, so a whole new generation of scaffolders joined the company for the first time. Pat’s brother, Maurice, who had encouraged him to start the company, retired, while Paul and his uncle, John Hanifan, joined the Board of Directors.
Leading London scaffolders
During this decade, Coventry grew in reputation, cementing itself as a leading name in the London scaffolding scene. With this, came many high-profile scaffolding contracts for some of the capital’s most iconic structures, including the Queen Victoria Memorial, Albert Memorial, Admiralty Arch between The Mall and Trafalgar Square, the King Edward Building and House of Lords lobby. A more unusual project during this period was when we provided scaffolding support for the display of the SLV Indian Rocket at the Science Museum.
1990s
Company expansion
The 1990s heralded further change at Coventry Scaffolding. Due to continued expansion, the company moved to a larger purpose-built depot in Sydenham. Pat and John Hanifan retired during the decade, and current MD, Perry Hanifan, joined the company. Coventry undertook many exciting projects throughout the 90s, including Shell Mex House, the Department of Trade and Industry, Harrods, Horse Guards Parade and the British Museum. The business was also awarded a contract of the highest order, to scaffold the front façade of Buckingham Palace.
Ensuring safe access
In 1991, Coventry erected scaffolding for the Department of Environment building in Marsham Street to prevent concrete from falling from the three buildings. The scaffolding was expected to last three years but stayed standing until the buildings were demolished in 2002. In 1992, Coventry helped shore up the Baltic Exchange following an IRA bomb explosion. The team also erected emergency birdcages for the House of Commons, following the collapse of an oak ceiling beam, and Buckingham Palace, after a similar incident in the ballroom.
2000s
By Royal Appointment
Through the first decade of the new millennium, Coventry remained a leading name in an increasingly competitive scaffolding industry, continuing to build relationships with new and existing clients and win new contracts. It was a particularly memorable decade for Coventry Scaffolding. The business was also granted the Royal Warrant by Queen Elizabeth II, making it the first scaffolding company in the UK to receive the honour. To this day, it remains one of Coventry’s proudest moments.
Safety first
Early in the 2000s, the company shifted to put health and safety at the front of its business model, resulting in the company’s exemplary safety record. This, combined with the team’s experience and high quality work, led to even more project wins – with prestigious contracts for Westminster Hall, Mansion House and the Cabinet Offices in Whitehall. Another significant project during this period took place in 2005, when the company was contracted to provide scaffolding for refurbishment work at St Pancras Station and the Renaissance Hotel in 2005.
2010s
Reaching new heights
Coventry continued to undertake scaffolding work on many iconic buildings and structures in and around London, including the Shell Flagpole, 9 Millbank, Eton College, Southwark Cathedral and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. A more unusual project occurred in 2012, when Coventry erected scaffolding to construct a stage on the roof of Buckingham Palace for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert. In a legendary moment during the celebrations, Queen guitarist Brian May appeared on the roof to play ‘God Save The Queen’, followed by a set from British band, Madness.
Scaffolding as art
This decade also marked Coventry Scaffolding’s first foray into the art world. The company’s scaffolding was used in the art installation ‘Empty Lots’ by Mexican artist, Abraham Cruzvillegas, which was exhibited in the Tate Modern 2015 to 2016. In 2017, the company partnered with world-renowned artist, Christo, on his first major work in Britain – the ‘Mastaba’. The project, which involved constructing a huge structure of 7,500 barrels to float on the Serpentine in Hyde Park during summer 2018, required extensive preparation. The Coventry team travelled to Bulgaria, building a smaller-scale version on the Black Sea to trial the soundness of the design, before embarking on its larger counterpart in London. The team’s hard work paid off as the project scooped the top prize, ‘Project of the Year’, at the NASC Awards in 2018.
2020s
Celebrating 70 years
In 2020, Coventry Scaffolding celebrated its 70th anniversary, commissioning a new 70th logo, with its iconic Nelsons Column project at the centre. Additionally, MDs Paul and Perry Hanifan, opted to plant 70 trees in the National Forest as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability. Despite disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Coventry completed projects including the refurbishment of Bromley Town Hall, Dover Castle and Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace.
A bright future
2025 marks Coventry’s 75th year in business, and the company has plenty of exciting activities planned. Not only have Paul and Perry decided to plant a further 75 trees in the National Forest, the company has a specially-designed 75th anniversary logo and a brand new website to celebrate the occasion. The business was delighted to kick off its anniversary year by being granted a new Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty King Charles III, enabling it to continue providing scaffolding services to the Royal Household under the new reign.
