Following last month's acquisition of timber merchants J Bland & Co, the Leeds-based Howarth Timber Group has announced a £100,000 refurbishment programme for the store on Hare Park Lane, Liversedge.

As part of the investment, the store - now trading as Howarth Timber & Building Supplies (Bradford) - will feature a new showroom. Externally, the yard is to be redesigned and resurfaced.

Under the leadership of Phil Barman, who used to manage Howarth Timber & Building Supplies' branch in Dewsbury, the company has retained the staff of J Bland & Co.

Mr Barman said: "Since opening for business in November, we have been delighted with the support we have had from existing customers of J Bland & Co, and those already loyal to the Howarth Timber brand but who have been asking for a local branch.

"The announcement is a statement of our intention to make this a well-stocked one-stop shop for those in the construction industry, be they self-employed builders or joiners, or larger companies looking for a supplier that understands the industry."