By Ruby Sharkie
A family-run company that has helped upgrade Westminster Cathedral and create Olympic training facilities is celebrating more than 35 years of business.
Owner Paul Houghton, from Sheppey, decided to launch his construction company, called Astral, in 1989.
It followed 14 years of experience working as an architect, surveyor and designer for local authorities.
More than three decades later, his company, based in Blue Town High Street, has become known for its craftsmanship, reliability and deep-rooted community values.
Paul said: “You get a lot of experience with local authorities, because there are not many other people.
“You’re looking after quite big projects at a very young age.
“It’s a good way of learning and made me realise that I was able to jump across the other side and build those things.”
One of their first contracts was for a dental practice in Sheerness.
The client was downsizing and they wanted to have the same equipment in a smaller place.
Paul added: “It was quite a challenge, but having an architectural background, I was able to do some design work. We did the project and the building is still there today.”
Since then, the company has continued to take pride in its work, grow its team and be a part of a variety of projects.
While building a business in an economically remote area such as Sheppey may seem off-putting to many entrepreneurs, Paul says he chose to be loyal to his hometown.
“I always felt that if you can reduce the transport time from your house to your workspace, that’s a very good thing,” he explained.
“The contracts can be far and wide, but there’s always that core thing where you can leave home and be in the office in 10 minutes. It’s like a second home.”
Astral offers a “conception to completion” service, which means they are responsible for the project from the moment it is just an idea, to even after the project is completed.
The policy requires the company to have team members on board who have specific roles to help move the chain along seamlessly.
This includes carpenters, decorators and site managers, as well as subcontractors such as mechanical and electrical specialists.
After a waiting period, the team then find out if they have been successful with the job or not. If they are, they will pick up the project and run with it.
Astral can have up to ten projects being worked on at once, at different stages and paces.
Over the years, Paul’s management has kept everyone on track and working hard.
When asked how he handles this, he replied: “If you are in charge, you know you’re never going to be popular.
“You just hope you’re not too unpopular – sometimes you have to make some tough decisions.”
Astral has helped upgrade facilities within Westminster Cathedral, install Canterbury’s public water fountain and convert College Meadow Pavilion in London into a training hub for the 2012 Olympic Games.
“We have also built state-of-the-art houses,” Paul added. “But we also enjoy doing disabled adaptations – keeping people in their own homes comfortably.”
Paul is looking to retire soon, with the company to be taken over by his son Adam Houghton and son-in-law John Jones, who have plans to take the family business further using AI and new technologies.
