A Northern Ireland firm has struck gold for the second year in a row at a prestigious national awards ceremony aimed at recognising excellence in the fit-out industry.

The Ballymena-based Patton Group, picked up the Gold Award in the joinery/fit-out category of the National Association of Interior Specialists annual awards held in London’s Dorchester Hotel.

The company was singled out from among fit out firms throughout the UK and Ireland for its work on a flagship store in Gateshead for top jewellery chain Goldsmiths.

It is the second year in a row that the Co. Antrim company has excelled at the high profile event, picking up Gold last year for the fit out of a new library in Shepherds Bush, London.

The Goldsmiths store, one of several fitted out across the country by the Patton team, involved the refurbishment and transformation of an existing store into the largest luxury jewellers in the North East of England.

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The 25 year old store boasts the Goldsmiths' first Shop-in-Shop Boutique, selling a number of exclusive products and now hailed as the company’s flagship store.

Patton carried out the fit-out of the store in two phases allowing it to continue trading during the major works.

The company's specialist joinery manufacturing facility made all of the panelling and display cabinets for the state-of-the-art jewellers and a glowing tribute was paid at the awards ceremony to the high standard of craftsmanship.

Such is the meticulous attention to detail in the Patton approach that before they went on site, the team carried out a thorough survey and re-created a 'full size' footprint of the proposed retail store on Patton’s own workshop floor.

Every component was carefully measured and manufactured to fit perfectly before dismantling, transporting and installing the finished product on site.

Patton Fit-Out Director Brendan Boyd said: "We are delighted to once again be recognised for the quality of our workmanship at national level.

"This is one of the highest accolades in our industry and we are especially delighted that Goldsmiths, with whom we have enjoyed such a long standing relationship, has also been honoured.

"We have assisted them in the roll out of new stores across the UK and Ireland and their vision for style and design will have contributed to this award."

Allan Perry of Goldsmiths said: "Goldsmiths is honoured to have one of its stores singled out at such a prestigious national event.

"We have enjoyed a long association with Patton Fit-Out who have always delivered a professional service and first class workmanship and it is no surprise to us that the company is being recognised for these high standards at national level."

(CD/KMcA)