Firm which has 30 years in the town moves

Buy photos » MP Sajid Javid, Barrie Beard, Jackie Beard and MP Peter Luff. Picture by Nick Hands 0612010NHR

A BROMSGROVE electrical firm, which has been in the town for more than 30 years, officially opened its new premises last Friday (February 3) in the company of two MPs and 150 visitors.

Barrie Beard Ltd, which has now moved to the Worcester Road, Upton Warren, used to be based in Recreation Road in Bromsgrove Town Centre and, in its early days, in a garage in Lickey End.

Last Friday's opening event was attended by Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid and Droitwich MP Peter Luff, along with long-term customers from far and wide.

The company now employs more than 80 people and has a turnover of around £8million.

Over the last 20 years, Barrie Beard has also trained up more than 100, mostly local, apprentices from skills training body JTL.

On average the firm has taken four a year, but more have been employed, depending on the workload.

As well as the new premises, the company's new state-of-the-art environmental heating system was also showcased by the manufacturers who came down to demonstrate it.

The open loop ground-sourced heating system works by pumping up warm water from two bore holes in the ground to heat the building.

Director Warren Beard said: "It's not fully self-sufficient, but it's getting there and will pay for itself in a few years.

"Everyone was really impressed, both with the system and the new building and the event really went well."

For more on Barrie Beard, call 01527 875172.