Balfour Beatty closes fit-out business

Balfour Beatty is to close the Multibuild hotel and leisure fit-out business it bought in 2010 and bring its operations in-house.

Balfour Beatty bought the two Stockport-based companies Multibuild Hotels and Leisure and Multibuild Interiors in 2010 for £1.9m.

However, the contractor has now confirmed it will be winding down the business due to a lack of hotel and leisure fit-out opportunities

Multibuild will trade out its existing contracts, but will not bid for any future work.

The Multibuild brand will disappear as its existing contracts are completed and its operations will be wound into Balfour Beatty’s main business.

Of the 47 staff, eight jobs are at risk as a result of the move, with the staff currently in consultation.

The move is understood to be separate to the wider restructure currently underway within Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction services division.

Balfour Beatty spokeswoman said: “Multibuild is being combined with Balfour Beatty’s fit out and refurbishment capability in other areas of the business.

“A standalone hotel and leisure fit out company is no longer viable due to an insufficient pipeline of hotel and leisure fit out opportunities.

“Existing Multibuild contracts will continue. Multibuild is not bidding for any more work.”

“Balfour Beatty will continue to bid for hotel and leisure fit out contracts but no longer under the Multibuild brand.”