BOSSES at the Oxfordshire branch of building services firm Rok are optimistic despite seeing its fortunes slide.

The group, which has a maintenance arm in Eynsham, revealed pre-tax losses of £3.8m in the six months to June 30 after major restructuring at its troubled plumbing division.

But Stuart Evans, regional construction director for London and the South East, said the firm’s order book was full for the rest of the year and 70 per cent complete for the next 12 months with a total value of about £28m.

Projects include the £2.5m redevelopment of the Old Fire Station in George Street, Oxford, to transform it into an arts and education centre for young homeless people.

It is also working on the refurbishment of the Barton, Ferry Pool and Blackbird Leys leisure centres for Oxford City Council and the Trajan House office development in the city’s Mill Street.