A KITCHEN design and installer is celebrating new contracts worth over £1m as eyes an end to the construction downturn.

Taylor Made Kitchens has won a half a million pound contract with A2Dominion Housing to fit out an initial 107 homes in Ashford, Middlesex and another two contracts with Banner Homes worth a similar amount for 48 flats in Wokingham and 15 homes in Reigate.

The company, based on the Belbins Business Park in Romsey has seen turnover grow to £2.5m since it was founded 12 years ago, and has survived the downturn while continuing to turn a profit and avoiding any lay-offs.

It now employs ten office staff and ten fitters, including a new apprentice.

Managing director Ray Sheehan said: “The building trade is hard work but we’ve put ourselves about and got good products and suppliers.

“The aim was to get through this tough period which we thought was going to be a year but has now been four years plus. It’s tough out there and we’ve had to work harder and chase work outside the area.”

Mr Sheehan said he was “cautiously optimistic” the industry was picking up and said there were a lot of brownfield sites awaiting the go-ahead from planners.