A firm started two years ago with a handful of staff has become a multi-million pound business employing nearly 50 workers.

Bradford firm Fernlee Industries is also planning to expand in a big way as part of managing director Paul Meer's growth plans for the future.

He plans to plough £250,000 into expanding the Bradford headquarters and employing a further 40 workers from in the city this year. The Wakefield Road firm, which currently employs 48 workers, is also to open depots in Calderdale and Rotherham where between 70 to 90 jobs could be created.

Mr Meer, who said he expected the firm's turnover to be up to £3 million by the end of this year, is hoping to treble that figure with new contracts he is on the verge of signing up with blue chip companies.

The firm started by providing a maintenance service for uPVC windows after Mr Meer found it impossible to get a firm to clean the ones in his own home.

Since then he has won approved contract status with 16 local authorities in the region and many housing associations.

The firm has also diversified into cleaning up buildings after fire damage and getting rid of mould. The company also offers a one-stop Turn-A-Round service for empty council houses and flats.

This includes clearing and cleaning properties, clearing and tidying gardens, painting and decorating the homes, carrying out minor repairs and a discrete security service.

Most of the people involved in Fernlee Industries were taken on from the dole queues and trained.

His firm has been involved in preparing homes for Kosovo refugees for Bradford and Calderdale Councils.

Mr Meer has also had a long partnership with the Royds Community Association which is carrying out a £31 million regeneration on Buttershaw, Delph Hill and Woodside estates in Bradford.

He said: "I still have five out of the original six people I took on from the Royds area when I won assistance from the regeneration scheme a few years ago.

"Now I have a total of 22 employees from the Royds area and I am looking to employ even more. ''

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