Project Description
Redecoration Works to Common Areas of The Royal Arsenal Residential Village Royal Arsenal is a riverside development spanning 88 acres, in Woolwich London. With a history dating back to 1671, the former munitions factory now provides a blend of converted and new build residential properties, together with an array of commercial, retail and leisure outlets.
Strata were appointed to deliver a programme of internal painting and decorating works to communal areas across the estate, including the erection of access towers. Works commenced in October 2020 with an anticipated completion of February 2021, however the UK was placed into a national lockdown over the Christmas break, threatening to halt the programme.
We quickly held strategy meetings with the client teams in order to coordinate an alternative solution that would enable us to reduce operative numbers, increasing social distancing measures, keeping residents and staff safe, without stopping work.
Our newly agreed and rapidly mobilised strategy also featured additional safety precautions, including mandatory weekly Covid testing for all staff (with results reported to the client), compulsory wearing of masks at all times in all areas, daily temperature checking and logging at sign-in, only allowing one worker per floor at any time and enforcement of separated vehicle usage.
In addition to providing a high quality finish of works, our primary focus since the commencement of the contract was to maintain consistent and accurate communication with residents at all times. This was accomplished by ensuring that prior to carrying out work at each apartment block, we collaborated with the on-site FM and Concierge teams to communicate our plans in detail.
We also trained each assigned operative to provide an enhanced level of customer care whilst on site, making sure to acknowledge each passer by in a warm and friendly manner, to always be well presented and displaying their company ID, and to engage with residents compassionately – ensuring that they listen to all concerns and address any questions asked.
Another aspect of key importance has been our utmost respect for the property and the treatment of our working areas, keeping sites clear and tidy at all times, with no items left unattended and with our welfare facilities maintained with pride. This approach to leaseholder engagement has created a genuinely positive relationship between building occupants and our operatives, with many residents regularly expressing their gratitude.
Furthermore, our contract management team have been contactable to the client teams 24/7, as well as regularly reporting progress during weekly hosted contract stakeholder meetings.
