In Brief: Barclays backs Merchant Taylors; Styles & Wood; ANS

THE fee paying Merchant Taylors’ Schools have completed the first phase of £5m improvements with support from Barclays in Liverpool.

The bank has committed a £2m funding line for the work which involves the demolition of existing buildings to make way for new classrooms in a two-storey block.

The second phase, due to begin at the end of April, will see the back of the Crosby school rebuilt.

The Barclays Corporate Banking deal team was led by relationship director Neil Williams.

He said: “Barclays are proud to have been Merchant Taylors’ principal bankers for many years and acknowledge the important part that they have and continue to play within the long term development plans of the schools.

“Over the years, they have educated many pupils who have gone on to hold senior positions throughout the UK and we are confident that the latest developments will help maintain their position of excellence.”

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FIT-OUT group Styles & Wood has completed a £710,000 office refurbishment for energy distribution company, Electricity North West in Manchester city centre.

The Altrincham firm created an open plan area and improved the company’s energy efficiency across two floors, or 15,000 sq ft, at Linley House, off Portland Street.

Operations director Paul Lonsdale said: “Delivered over two-months, this project was completed to a high quality finish, while overcoming tight timescales and on-site challenges, including the identification and removal of asbestos.

“Our specialist team’s expertise in delivering projects around live working environments ensured the new décor, flooring and lighting were all installed to the best possible standard for the client, and the design and build of new meeting rooms and a staff kitchenette was completed on time and to budget.” 

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IT infrastructure group ANS Group has secured a contract to support Lancashire brewer Daniel Thwaites.

Under the terms of the three-year contract Manchester-based ANS will supply a the Blackburn group with a “disaster recovery” system that will protect vital business data.

Managing director Paul Sweeney said: “As more business applications move to digital platforms, it’s essential that businesses consider what should happen in the event of a disaster. By opting for a managed protection service, Daniel Thwaites can be confident that, should a disruption occur, critical systems are supported and data integrity is maintained to ensure minimal impact to customers, staff, revenues and reputation in the event of a disaster.”