TWO growing firms have relocated to new shared premises in Riddlesden.

Construction company Five Rise Contractors acquired Bentley Drains last year.

Now both businesses have moved into office space at the same 9,750sqft site in Bradford Road.

The firms – which will continue to operate under their own brands – say the £80,000 relocation, from their previous sites in Bingley and Bradford, will help accommodate further growth and enable them to better service their customers.

Both companies are increasingly collaborating over drainage work and commercial and residential builds across West Yorkshire.

Between them the businesses currently employ 27 people, with 11 roles being created in the past year alone.

Appointments have included Chris Iredale as business development director, Tony Podmore as operations director, Jake Keating in the role of project manager and George Greatbatch as head of estimating – plus four apprenticeship posts, and three technical roles, have been created.

And it is planned to further expand the workforce to more than 35 by the start of next year, with recruitment already underway for an accounts manager, apprentice administration assistant, working site foreman, Level 3 joiner and drainage engineer.

Michael Gration, managing director of Five Rise Contractors, welcomes the relocation.

He says: "I am delighted that after a year of working together, we are now under the same roof as the Bentley Drains team.

"Whilst our businesses will continue to operate separately under their own respective brands, following the acquisition it makes sense to unite our teams to help us capitalise on the collaborative opportunities that presents.

"Both businesses go hand in hand and our partnership has allowed us to offer more comprehensive solutions to our customers and their projects. Being in the same building means we can improve our collaboration, efficiency and joint offering.

"Our aim is to contribute positively to the community by investing in local talent and supporting continuous learning, whilst optimising building performance through sustainability principles. Becoming a leader in the industry is a priority for us and with 11 new starters and apprentices across both companies in the last 12 months, we are only just getting started."

The offices have been built using sustainable materials and include energy-efficient systems and innovative waste reduction features, in line with a company drive to minimise its environmental footprint.