Pictured above: (l-r) Jean and Bill Toal, Lord Mayor of Coventry Kieran Mulhall and Peter Deeley

A leading Coventry construction and property group has marked its 75th anniversary with a celebration of its work in the city.

The Deeley Group started in 1936 when George Deeley began building homes for the people of Coventry from his back garden in Avon Street, in Upper Stoke.

The company, which is based at George House in Herald Avenue, has grown to become one of the largest and most reputable privately-owned construction and development firms in the Midlands.

George established a strong reputation during the Second World War for producing the finest air raid shelters in the city and following the war continued building homes, schools and factories.

Deeley operates nationally but has always remained in the city and three years ago opened a new, purpose-built headquarters building on Coventry Business Park.

That base now houses a commemorative plaque detailing the principle job Deeley completed in each of its 75 years.

The Lord Mayor of Coventry Kieran Mulhall was in attendance along with a number of special guests including George's first ever apprentice, Bill Toal who began work for Deeley on his 14th birthday on the day the war ended in 1945.

The Lord Mayor paid tribute to the company's commitment to training the city's young people before unveiling the impressive plaque.

George's son, Peter, now manages the company and took the opportunity to highlight the company's continuing dedication to the city it has called home for 75 years.

He said: "Over the years the city has given us so much and we have always felt a strong obligation to the city.

"The company expanded its activities in 1959 after establishing itself and moved to Torrington Avenue having been refused planning permission to extend its premises at Avon Street. It is not often I would say that planning refusal was a good thing but it helped the company grow. 

"We are now very much at home following our latest move to George House in 2009 and are still very much a family firm.

"We have tried to involve ourselves in the community at every opportunity and have worked with the likes of Baginton Fields School, Coventry Hospitals Charity, Community Foundation, Coventry Artspace, Grace Research Fund and Coventry Boys' Club.

"I think this plaque serves as a brilliant reminder of some of the great work we have done over the years and the fact that it is dominated by Coventry projects just goes to show how much the city means to us as a firm."