Fit-out firm Morris & Spottiswood has secured a contract to transform student accommodation at the University of Edinburgh.

Work has already started at the Kincaid Court campus which is the University’s largest self-catered residence containing more than 250 bedrooms.

Morris & Spottiswood operations manager, Ronnie Forrest, said the £3 million contract will be carried out between June and December 2017 and includes major renovation work to bedrooms, kitchens and showers.

He said: “The Kincaid Court site is a large development consisting of three blocks to the east, west and south of a central courtyard. The layout of each block is broken down into flats with four or five rooms and a small number of 12-person flats. There is also a large common room and laundry on site.

“The project will involve an upgrade to roof insulation, replacement of internal and external doors and skim coat spray plastering throughout. New kitchens and shower room pods are also being installed along with upgrades to toilet areas. Further work includes new floor coverings and a new boiler room and gas heating plant. A fundamental part of the work will involve widescale mechanical and electrical engineering.”

Mr Forrest added: “A schedule has been set to deliver the project quickly and efficiently in a two-phase format. The work will be delivered from June through to December in 2017. The first phase involves 120 rooms in block 2 as well as the boiler and plant equipment taking place between June and September.

“The second phase involves blocks 1 and 3 with a further 134 rooms plus two twin rooms and a double room. This is scheduled to run from September to December with all works completed prior the Christmas break.”

Morris & Spottiswood operates nationwide employing a total of 390 people, following an 8pc rise in staff numbers in 2016.It has four separate service divisions – fit-out, housing, M&E and maintenance.

Mr Forrest said the latest high-level education sector contract adds to a portfolio of work spanning across retail, financial, housing, leisure, health and commercial sectors.

“Morris & Spottiswood is one of the largest fit-out organisations in the UK,” he said. “We work on many scales from national programmes to local fit-out and refurbishment projects. A key service we are delivering on the University of Edinburgh project, which is driving strong corporate growth, is our comprehensive M&E service. This is now a fundamental part of our operation which continues to expand each year.

“We are experiencing strong demand for M&E services because we deliver a one stop solution from survey and inspection, through design to installation, commissioning, testing, inspection and aftercare. This covers assets such as heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing, lighting, power, communications and security. Our skilled technicians also deliver planned maintenance programmes, cyclical repairs and asset renewals on projects ranging in value from £5,000 to £5million per scheme.”