A company which worked on the original Wembley Stadium is celebrating its 150th-year anniversary. Originally established in 1875 by Alfred Bagnall, the business is now managed by fifth generation and great, great grandson Stephen Bagnall.
Bagnalls, formerly based on Market Street in Shipley and now located in Cleckheaton, is the “UK’s leading specialist painting and decorating” firm.
By Annette McIntyre
This central hub manages a wide array of projects, offering services in commercial and industrial painting and decorating. Clients in sectors such as utilities and chemicals, including companies like Cadent Gas and BOC Gases, rely on Bagnalls for their expertise.
Bagnalls prides itself on directly employing its painters and decorators, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to industry standards. The company holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations, reflecting its commitment to quality management, environmental responsibility, and occupational health and safety.
Bagnalls offers a comprehensive range of services, including painting and decorating, commercial painting, industrial coatings, infrastructure painting, heritage decoration, restoration, and minor civil works. They cater to various sectors such as education, healthcare, historic properties, leisure and tourism, manufacturing, property and housing, rail transport, retail, and utilities.
A recent project was led by second-year Bagnalls apprentice, and runner-up of the PDA Trophy Junior Competition 2024, Owen Sheldon. He recently led an important, historic project at Leeds Civic Chamber. Owen coordinated a team of Bagnalls painters to create and paint a number of plaques commemorating successful women throughout history.
Bagnalls collaborated with Leeds City Council on six plaques made from MDF with laser-engraved lettering. This project was particularly meaningful to Leeds as it addresses a lack of female representation in the existing plaques, which predominantly acknowledge the historical roles of male councillors. The new plaques expertly painted by Bagnalls now offer more balanced representation for the City of Leeds.
Richard Jackson of Leeds City Council said, “The plaques look amazing and everyone is so pleased. I will ensure that Bagnalls gets a formal mention at the grand unveiling.”
The company is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. They participate in initiatives like the Paint Green scheme, aiming to reduce, reuse, or recycle excess paint and containers. Bagnalls has also recycled 44.5 tonnes of plastic and metal through Crown Trade’s Can Back scheme, reflecting their dedication to minimizing environmental impact.
Investing in employee development is a core value at Bagnalls. They have an award-winning apprenticeship scheme and a Management Trainee Programme, fostering a positive and supportive working environment. The company has been recognized with Platinum-accredited membership by The 5% Club’s Employer Audit Scheme for its commitment to ‘earn and learn’ initiatives.
Bagnalls has received numerous industry accolades, including being named Supreme Winner at the Painting and Decorating Association’s annual trophy awards for their work at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. They were also recognized as the Top UK Family Business Apprentice Employer in 2023, and were chosen as winner of the Bradford College-sponsored Excellence in Training Award over other nominees at the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business Awards last year.
So, what would founder Alfred make of Bagnalls 150 years on? Stephen feels Alfred could not have imagined what his business would have turned out to be half a century after his world of horse-drawn carts.
Stephen said: “Alfred’s original vision and determination has seen the company transform from its humble beginnings in Shipley in 1875 to now being the UK’s leading specialist painting and decorating firms, still with its roots firmly in Yorkshire.
“As I reflect on the company’s heritage, I can’t help but wonder, what Alfred would make of Bagnalls today?
“Would he have imagined that the business he built with such care, dedication and skill would still be thriving 150 years later, now led by the fifth generation, with the sixth generation already making their mark? I somehow doubt it.
“His world was one of horse-drawn carts and handwritten accounts, yet, at its core, Bagnalls remains what it has always been, a family business built on values, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to its people and customers.”
Looking ahead, Stephen remains committed to safety, quality and long-term family ownership, focused on ensuring the company’s legacy for future generations.
Bagnalls has grown from a small painting contractor into a “national leader” in the industry – “evolving with economic shifts and industry trends whilst maintaining its core values of safety, integrity, respect and people”.
The company’s work includes landmark projects such as the original Wembley Stadium painted in the 1920s.
It is said the company applied “practically 200 tons of paint to the giant structures – and all by means of the ordinary brush”.
Besides paint, their workmen used hundreds of gallons of enamels and enormous quantities of gold leaf and gold paint.
Their great task began in August 1922, when they were called in to paint the stadium in time for the cup final in the following April.
Bagnalls first used new paint product Dulux on new pharmaceutical plant for Boots in Beeston in the 1930s.
The company continues to employ family with further members joining since 2010, including from the sixth generation.
The Bust of Alfred Bagnall who fgounded the Bagnalls company 150 years ago 
Books from the time of the companys foundation are kept on display.
Bagnalls’ Apprentice Training Academy is upskilling the next generation of talent. Another success story that continues to evolve, our Training Academy now boasts a full-time Group Academy Tutor in the form of the brilliant Joel Mortlock, as well as a complete and varied syllabus.
Increasing the diversity of their apprenticeship intake and encouraging more women to see painting and decorating as a viable career path is very important to the company. They are proud of the fact that, in 2024, one-third of their apprentices were women.
The talent displayed in recent years has been fantastic, with multiple Bagnalls apprentices winning prestigious awards, volunteering for exciting opportunities abroad and leading historic projects.
The company take great pride in investing in the next generation of talent entering the painting and decorating industry. In fact, many of their current Branch Managers and Directors began their careers with us Bagnalls apprentices, highlighting the success that can be achieved in this industry with determination, drive and a positive attitude!
Bagnalls is the reigning Family Business United Supreme Champion as they celebrate their 150th anniversary!
Stephen Bagnall says, “It’s wonderful to have had all our hard work and dedication as a family business recognised with this prestigious title. However, we couldn’t have achieved this level of success without the talent, support and work ethic of the Bagnalls family.
“I want to take this moment to celebrate every single member of the Bagnalls team – from our painters and decorators travelling up and down the country and our enthusiastic apprentices, to our managerial and directorial teams, as well as the administration and marketing staff that make all our projects possible.
“The title of Supreme Champion is a reality for Bagnalls thanks to all your hard work – I’m so proud to work with such a great group of people! Thank you.”
