Pictured above: (l-r) Lee Hassan (South Shropshire Leisure Centre), Nick Skidmore and Matt Breakwell (both Cornbrook) at the new Teme Leisure facility in Ludlow

A South Shropshire construction and building services specialist is celebrating a record year after it posted a £2.2m turnover and boosted its workforce by 20%.

Cornbrook, which employs 32 people at its Cleobury Mortimer headquarters, has emerged from one of the industry's worst ever recessions, with a thriving order book featuring work in the residential, commercial, education and leisure sectors.

It has also secured the biggest deal in its seven year history, a £multi-million project to construct two extensions at Bradeney House Care Home near Bridgnorth. Once complete, it will provide an additional 54 rooms, extensive landscaping and a new courtyard with attractive stone balustrading.

The recent growth has come at an exciting time for the business, as it looks to finalise a comprehensive rebranding exercise by launching new marketing material and website (www.cornbrookconstruction.co.uk).

"We've come a long way since we started in 2003 with nothing more than a van and two men," explained Matt Breakwell, who founded the business with local builder Nick Skidmore.

"The same principles that were present at the formation still drive the company today - quality craftsmanship, unrivalled levels of service and the flexibility to get a job completed in a timeframe none of our rivals would touch."

He continued: "What started out as a sub-contract operation doing maintenance work for housing associations is now one of the largest independent construction firms in Shropshire, offering anything from loft conversions and extensions, to commercial refurbishments and school extensions.

"Our client base features leading architects, local authorities, care homes, schools and, more recently, a new fitness suite at South Shropshire Leisure Centre and the refurbishment of Astbury Hall Golf and Leisure Club. The latter is a USGA standard golf course and was designed by Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing."

The rebranding involved shortening the original Cornbrook Homes name to 'Cornbrook' to represent the business' more diverse focus.

The new logo retains the existing 'roof' and royal blue colour that has become the trademark of the firm and will now sit proudly on a suite of marketing material, the website and its twitter page.

"The Bradeney House contract was a huge opportunity for us and means we are now being considered for jobs ranging from £10,000 to £multi-million projects. We basically needed a new brand that reflected this," continued Matt.

Cornbrook's growth in difficult times has been a real boost to the local construction industry, with the business more than doubling its turnover and workforce since 2008.

It now offers complete building services thanks to an in-house team of highly skilled craftspeople, ranging from drainage and groundwork specialists to plumbers and even carpet fitters.

This is further strengthened by a network of approved associates that can be called upon to complete the most complex and demanding projects.

Nick Skidmore picked up the story: "What makes us different is that we passionately care about the work we do and that the client will love the end result. It's an ethic that is installed in all of our staff, from our site managers to our apprentices - everyone will always give that extra 10% to make sure the job gets done and our clients are happy.

"The range of skills that we have in-house gives us the flexibility and control to take on jobs that others would struggle within the timescale available. St James Primary School in West Malvern is a good example. We had just 5 weeks to complete what would normally have been a ten week job, involving refurbishing classrooms, toilets, treating a timber infestation in the roof and installing a new food technology kitchen."

Cornbrook, which is CHAS, Constructionline and Federation of Master Builders Masterbond accredited, is looking to take on a further four people in the coming weeks to cope with expansion onsite and in the office.