The firm is returning to the responsive repairs market in the north after a gap of around 10 years. Until now the firm has limited its operation based out of Leeds and Warrington to fit-out work.

Craig Robertson, Morris & Spottiswood operations director, said: “We’ve got existing national clients like B&Q whose maintenance contracts we take care of in Scotland and so we’re simply expanding our work for them down south.

“This means in effect we have a UK-wide reputation for maintenance, as well as for fit-out and housing.

“We’re well placed to increase our scope of business with our Warrington and Leeds offices.”

Robertson said: “The Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Yorkshire corridor is much bigger than that of Glasgow – Edinburgh. Our appeal to clients is that we offer maintenance contracts of differing lengths, depending on the client, whether big or small.”

The £74.4m turnover firm employs 400 staff, relying on a directly-employed workforce.

Over the past 15 years Morris & Spottiswood has built up its reputation by providing reactive and planned maintenance services in Scotland covering all core trades, including joinery, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas servicing, building, flooring, roofing and decoration works.

Robertson said the firm’s centralised helpdesk, manned around the clock, is key to the operation providing a guaranteed fast response from in-house maintenance teams.