A BUILDING firm has been given work under a £4 million contract — thanks to a Bolton tendering service.

Thornton and Lowe has helped Manchester building contractor DH Welton in a deal with Cheshire East Council.

Projects over the next three years will include building new homes and refurbishing old ones, landscaping, sports and play areas, flooring, painting and decorating, minor works and extensions.

There is also the possibility of a 12-month extension after the third year.

Dave Thornton, a director with Thornton and Lowe, in Chorley New Road, said: “This is a significant success for DH Welton and one we are proud to have supported. This again highlights the commitment of our staff and shows that, despite the uncertain economy, businesses can access funding to secure their future and grow.”

The firm has been providing intensive tender-writing support and guidance to building firm since 2010. It has also helped DH Welton to secure a contract with United Utilities.

Martin McQuaid, director at DH Welton, said: “Dave Thornton and his team in Bolton have worked closely with us to help us improve our tender responses and our business policies too.”

Thornton and Lowe support businesses tendering for public and private-sector contracts, including pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and tender writing, checking and training.

Mr Thornton said the formal procurement and tendering sector is now big business. More and more private-sector organisations are taking the route to buy goods, services and work. The challenge is that tendering can be time-consuming, competitive and frustrating.

He said bids are always time-critical and driven by strict deadlines.

Thornton and Lowe has eight staff but hopes to expand to 12 in coming months. They are based in Bolton, but they work with businesses across the UK, including those in London, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Manchester, Yorkshire, Wales and Scotland.

The firm is a member of Bolton’s Business For Breakfast networking group, run by Eric and Lorraine Henshaw.