A HAMPSHIRE-BASED cleaning company has doubled in size in just seven months.

The rapid expansion of Cleaning Operations UK Limited, an industrial and construction cleaning firm, comes after a raft of new contracts.

The company, headquartered in Fareham, but operating nationally and internationally, now employs 85 people.

Contracts undertaken in the past year include historic Netley Abbey, Marlborough College and the recently-opened Village Urban Hotel in Bristol.

Founder and managing director Luzia Holloway said: “We have had an exceptional year of growth in 2018 following some testing times and we are now stronger than ever.

“My colleagues have risen to the challenge and we look forward to 2019 with great enthusiasm and a desire to keep growing.

“Our flexibility, diversity and exceptionally high levels of service, quality and customer support have seen us prosper.”

Members of staff and their families joined Luiza and other managers at the company’s ninth ‘Revival of Beliefs’ day at Eastleigh’s Concorde Club.

The regular event is held to recognise the efforts put in by the workers.

Luzia, who founded the company 17 years ago, updated her workforce on progress as well as thanking them for their hard work during 2018.

The event also featured presentations to the company’s ‘heroes’ – team members who went beyond the call of duty for the company.

Luzia said: “Revival of Beliefs is always a relaxed family occasion which allows us to reflect on what we do, what our core values are and what our future outlook is going to be – it was a fantastic time for all of us.

“I feel that it is very important to remember what our business is all about and for colleagues to appreciate and understand what everybody involved does for the company.

“I always want to demonstrate that we really do value every single member of staff.

“Upholding our beliefs and acknowledging the dedication and commitment of others is very much what the Cleaning Operations UK family is all about.

“All of my colleagues are hugely important – as are their families as they have to show a great deal of understanding because the cleaning business can be full of crucial work received at short notice, as well as unforeseen overtime.”

Cleaning Operations UK provides a rapid-response cleaning services to a host of businesses in the regions.

It works across many sectors, including retail, hotels, leisure centres, restaurants, offices, churches, hospitals, factories/warehouses, listed buildings, the motor trade and museums.