Rok gets up with the Lark

Rok has fought off competition from the likes of Mowlem, Connaught and Midas to buy Cornish contractor Lark Construction for an undisclosed sum, as tipped in CJ last week.
As many as 15 firms took a look at the Redruth-based social housing contractor, which went into receivership on 11 August with debts thought to be around £4m.
Rok will take on the remaining 78 staff and eight live social housing contracts, which are thought to have a combined value of £12m. Rok will have the use of Lark's name, which is likely to be amalgamated into the Rok brand.
Receiver Grant Thornton and Rok will now spend the next two weeks arranging the novation of contracts to Rok with respective clients.
Lark's freehold property and other assets remain with the receiver. However, Rok does have the option to use Lark's premises for up to a year.
"Rok is interested in growing its business in Cornwall and strengthening its operations in Truro and Plymouth," a source said. "The company is looking to mirror what it did following the collapse of Ballast Wiltshier and find a good set of contracts to build on."