GROWING demand for document management services lies behind the launch of a new firm offering physical and electronic storage.

Trojan Document Solutions has physical storage space at Swan Mill No 3, on Higher Swan Lane, Bolton, and digital and cloud-based services which customers can access online.

The firm’s clients include legal and medical practices which are required to store documents for five or six years.

The firm owns its own mill premises, which it has upgraded and refitted with storage racks and a range of security measures.

It also uses offices at the Atria building in Spa Road.

Ian Taylor, aged 54, the firm’s managing director, lives in Tonge Moor and has a background in various small businesses.

He said: “Documents can be physically stored in the mill, which has 24-hour CCTV, security and links to the police. We can pick up documents from clients one a one-off basis or regularly each month.

“We have an automatic invoicing system and a well-audited storage system using world-leading software “For electronic storage, scanned documents can be filed on our server, which is backed up by a second UK server and a third in the United States.

“The chance of damage to all three of these servers is remote so people can be reassured.” John Borg, aged 32, is the firm’s business development manager.

A former Bury FC reserves and Doncaster Rovers first team player, he grew up in Swinton and attended Moorside High School as a youngster.

He said: “Document storage is important, although firms don’t always realise this.

“Storage frees-up office and desk space for business, making offices more productive which can only help businesses.”

The whole business launch was self-funded.

Trojan’s website has been developed by Deane Road-based IT firm Logicia, the mill storage racking was installed by Bolton’s CP Systems, while the archive software somes from US developers O’Neill.

Trojan’s new clients include MRH Solicitors, Apex Management, Adam and Co Accountants, Pennington Legal Services and Oracle Legal Limited.

Mr Taylor said: “Many old mills had small textile firms based in them but they are less common and storage is a growing sector.

“We’re open-minded about using other parts of the mill — they could be sub-let or adapted for more storage.”