New space planning service

Bondholder Matthew Montague Architects is launching a new service for business owners who are looking to become COVID-19 compliant.

The service, in partnership with Marpal Health and Safety Consultants, brings together space planning and health and safety expertise to allow businesses to return to work as quickly and safely as possible.

Social distancing potentially has the biggest impact on how businesses operate, if home working isn’t an option managing space is critical. Space Planning involves evaluating business premises and utilising the space available to its full potential, whilst ensuring employees are protected and guidelines adhered to.

To give businesses peace of mind and help them make any changes easy to follow and implement, Matthew Montague Architects will survey a building and then draw up plans with layouts; measurements, furniture placement, circulation routes and recommended people flow around communal areas and facilities.

Matthew Montague, Managing Director and Principal Architect, said: “We want to help businesses return to work and by providing this service we can ensure they are doing that safely and efficiently, it is helping their business and supporting ours. We know that businesses need to act quickly and we believe that in the majority of instances we can provide any business with a full working solution within 5 working days.”

In addition to space planning every business is required to complete a COVID-19 Workplace Risk Assessment and if a business employs 5 people or more this needs to be a written assessment. Marpal can provide any business with a comprehensive document identifying all the precautions and measures necessary.

It is undeniable that COVID-19 is set to change the way we do business; this is already starting to show changes in what premises businesses might require in the future. As Architects these discussions are already taking place within some businesses that are looking to potentially sell or sub-let some of their space. In addition to the above Matthew Montague Architects are happy to offer advice on this to any business.

If any business would like advice on space planning or health and safety they should call James Parratt, Senior Architectural Technologist on 01335 330510, or email James@matthewmontague.co.uk.