Member Article

Plasterer turned refurbishment entrepreneur moves to 10 times larger premises

A Leeds-based building refurbishment specialist has relocated to new premises more than 10 times the size of its previous headquarters, as a result of record growth.

Fraser Projects Ltd has moved from a small office on Gelderd Road – where it was based since the business was established in 2011 – to impressive loft space in Topcliffe Mill, Morley.

Employing an eight-strong team when the company first started trading, founder and managing director Ryan Fraser, now has 28 staff.

The firm offers refurbishment solutions for a number of clients throughout the UK, and the company recorded turnover of almost £500,000 in 2013.

But with an even healthier 2014 pipeline, Fraser Projects is forecast to hit the £1.5m turnover mark, by the end of this financial year. At least 10 more employees are set to be recruited over the next 12 months to support this workload, so it was important that large premises were found with room for further business expansion.

Commenting on the move, Ryan Fraser, who set out as a plasterer & dryliner 13 years ago, said: “I was impressed with Topcliffe Mill’s location, close to the M62 and M1.

“This means we can easily navigate to customer sites the length and breadth of the country, and we are conveniently situated on the outskirts of the vibrant city centre, where so many of our customers are developing their business or transforming existing environments.

“We’ve recently completed fit-outs for two independent retailers in Trinity Leeds for example, and are currently transforming a 3000 sqft office in LS1.

“More importantly, I identified the potential that the mill had to offer. There is fantastic scope for our company to grow here, which is incredibly important as we continue to evolve.”

Keen to make best use of his team’s fit-out skills, Ryan has completely redefined the space within this traditional redbrick mill.

Utilising almost every talent within the multi-disciplined team – space planning, design, plastering, stud walls, glass partition walls, suspended ceilings, painting and decorating, joinery, electrics, plumbing and furnishing – Fraser Projects has fully refurbished its interior.

Ryan continues: “Within this historic building we now have an ultramodern office, with an open plan working environment, boardroom, separate meeting rooms and a reception.

“It is also a fantastic showcase of our expertise, as more companies approach us to transform tired spaces into inspiring places to work.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .