Member Article

Darlington high risers toast major deal with pub chain

Stone Technical Services (STS) has secured a contract to help one of the UK’s biggest restaurant, bar and pub operators keep their historic buildings preserved to the highest standards.

STS is carrying out a range of repairs at Mitchells and Butlers sites across the country as part of the organisation’s Operation Gargoyle initiative which it established to manage their historic sites, some in listed buildings.

In addition, STS’s business development manager, Richard Pavlou, is working with Mitchells and Butlers’ national buildings manager advising on best practice for the upkeep of historic buildings to help the business plan for future repairs.

Richard has also been working with Mitchells and Butlers to ensure all of their outlets remain operational during any works by using traditional methods for repair and maintenance, thanks to STS’s multi-trade capabilities which are essential for complex contracts.

STS has so far completed work at All Bar One in Liverpool, Brown’s in Manchester, Harkers in York, the Railway in Birmingham and the Royal Hotel in Cardiff with planned works about to take place at All Bar One in Edinburgh, O’Neil’s in Liverpool and the Queens in Bristol.

Richard said: “Mitchells and Butlers is a very forward-thinking organisation which is vital when you’re managing hundreds of historic sites. Operation Gargoyle ensures their buildings look good and are always way ahead when it comes to health and safety, which is paramount.

“We also work to make sure we don’t interrupt business operations and cause very little disruption. By planning ahead with Mitchells and Butlers, we can ensure business continuity throughout their network of pubs, bars and restaurants.”

Mitchells and Butlers runs over 1,500 restaurants, bars and pubs and was established in 1898.

Nick Pinnington, building manager for Mitchells and Butlers, said: “Our relationship with STS can certainly be described as one of mutual benefit. When you have an estate as large and as diverse in nature as ours, we continuously encounter challenging and complex issues with regards to the upkeep and maintenance of our buildings. In Stone Technical Services we have found a contractor who not only delivers on its services but goes above and beyond, often finding access solutions where other contractors have said that it was not possible.”

STS this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Darlington brothers, Dave and Grahame Stone, established Stone Technical Services in 1998 and now have offices in Edinburgh city centre, near Stockport in Cheshire and in central London as well as their HQ on Kellaw Road in Darlington.

The company has also recently completed projects with Handpicked Hotels, Nostell Priory, Jarrow Town Hall, Sunderland Empire, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Hall.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison Associates .