We like to get ahead of the game, wherever possible, so we have given our whole service a look over and made as many eco friendly changes as we can in order to consider the bigger, longer-term picture of the health of the sites and gardens we look after.
Here are a just a few of the changes we have made:

We now re-cycle as many of our products as possible i.e. we use broken stone and brick from other buildings to create new paving or bedding plant areas at other sites. This save in cost is also passed onto our customers. Crunchy gravel and slate chippings are the obvious permeable alternative to solid paving, but there are lots of other materials available that we can now source – from porous asphalt and block paving to grass reinforced with recycled plastic grids.

We now employ energy saving procedures and have swapped out or installed appliances in our office and workshops, including LED lighting and re-cycled paper and eco-friendly cleaning products. We recycle 85% of our waste.

We focus on water preservation when designing an area and put in place means of collecting rainwater, to feed back into the ground.
Instead of using harsh chemicals, we now use alternative weeding methods wherever possible; spreading a 5-7.5cm (2-3inch) layer of compost or shredded bark around plants to repel weeds. It also keeps the roots snug during winter and conserves water.

We would of course root the weeds out when they are young and use a deep cultivator tool to dig as deeply into the soil to bring them up.

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With the start of the year upon us, many small business owners are starting to gear their operations back up, following the relatively quiet holiday period.

When you’re running a small business, it’s easy to try and do everything yourself – but that’s not always great news for your venture. While you might be apprehensive about giving up control of certain areas of your business upkeep, you may find that you benefit from outsourcing the basics.

It’s important to select a trust-worthy company, who have a strong customer base and they’re going to be focussed on delivering the best service possible. Hopefully you’ll find this frees you up to concentrate on the more valuable parts of your business.

That’s where using a trusted facilities management company who can look after your office cleaning, grounds and building maintenance and odd jobs too, all at a highly competitive rate could be a god send.

This January, we are offering special discounts to newly incorporated companies, start-ups and businesses celebrating their first year’s anniversary in 2019. Contact us during Q1 to take up this limited offer.

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This particular filling product is imported exclusively through our contract’s supplier, is guaranteed for 3 years, and allows super quick and efficient pothole repair in any weather conditions. It can be driven over immediately with no need for road closures. This particular repair alternative also produces minimal environmental impact and is a completely mess free solution. We guarantee a quote within 48 hours and can be on-site to fix the potholes within 2-3 working days.

The post Fix your potholes PERMANENTLY before the winter comes appeared first on N & S Group - Providing Commercial Services and Facilities Management Throughout Yorkshire.

According to a recent survey, 94% of respondents say they would avoid a business in the future after experiencing a dirty toilet there in the past. When it comes bathroom cleanliness, people will avoid retail stores, petrol stations, business centres, supermarkets, and even car dealerships just to shop at places with clean toilet facilities.

Though your toilets are only a small part of your business, their state can have an impact on your bottom line, if it’s constantly scaring away your customers and giving them cause not to come back. To help make sure your business provides the cleanest facilities possible for your customers and employees, why not take us up on our Autumn offer:

Let us Bust them Ghosts

Going in to a toilet shouldn’t be a nightmare. We can make it a more pleasant visit.

For the duration of October through to the end of November, we will assess your facilities and run a FREE health check. Then if you choose to use our cleaning services for a 24-month rolling contract, we’ll give you the first 3 months completely free of charge.

We understand that your reputation rides on our work, and we’ll use top of the range tools and solutions at our disposal to make sure your facilities are in tip-top shape.

Call us to book a free assessment on 01709 583708 or fill in the contact form on our website www.nandsgroup.co.uk

The post Are Your Dirty Toilets Scaring Away Customers? appeared first on N & S Group - Providing Commercial Services and Facilities Management Throughout Yorkshire.

Despite the difficulties associated with hot working environments, there is no legal maximum safe working temperature. The only requirement is that workplace temperatures in buildings should be ‘reasonable’. This condition appears in the Workplace Regulations 1992 and whilst it sounds a little bit ambiguous, there are several sensible straight forward steps that can be followed to ensure working conditions are as comfortable as possible during the UK’s current heatwave.

In the absence of a legal ruling, health organisations recommend maximum safe working temperatures: 27ºC for manual workers, and 30ºC for sedentary workers.

There are six basic factors an employer should look at which includes air temperature, radiant temperature (i.e., the temperature radiating from warm objects), air velocity, humidity, and what clothing workers are expected to wear.

Controlling High Temperatures

In an office, employers can attempt to keep the maximum temperature below 30ºC. with suitable ventilation and shade, such as installing air conditioning units, even if it’s a mobile one, where you can hang the extraction tube out of a window, opening windows, turning on fans and placing them next to work stations. It might also be helpful to pull various window blinds down a little bit, to block direct sunlight, wherever appropriate. These various measures can help to keep the air fresh and the office a little cooler and allow staff to be able to concentrate better. The last time the UK saw consistently high temperatures for as long as this, was back in 1976, so it’s understandable that so many offices are just not set up for this kind of heatwave.

It’s worth noting, that if employers do invest in air conditioning units, they need to ensure that engineers are regularly servicing and maintaining the systems. Badly functioning air conditioning has led to examples of increased rather than lower temperatures.
Employers can also make staff more comfortable by allowing a sensible dress code and ensuring there are regular breaks for cooling drinks. Having access to cool, filtered water is an ideal scenario but otherwise providing a fridge for staff to be able to store cool drinks and/or access to tap water would be sufficient.

Providing a positive spin

It’s important to get an indication of what is deemed reasonable, ideally by speaking to employees and getting an overall view of how they feel about the office temperature. Its important to recognise the heat. It’s easy for employees to feel somewhat stressed by the high temperatures that they’re not accustomed to working in. They can feel less engaged when it’s sunny outside and they have to be at work, which can lead to employees pulling a sickie to embrace the hot weather while it lasts. Taking simple steps to show that employers value and appreciate their staff during hot weather will help perk employees up and reduce absenteeism. These steps can include providing ice lollies, cold drinks or summer snacks and even early finish incentives providing certain targets or project deadlines are met. This will help raise productivity as staff will appreciate the chance to make the most of their longer evenings.

The post Office working in this year’s record temperatures – how to handle the heatwave appeared first on N & S Group - Providing Commercial Services and Facilities Management Throughout Yorkshire.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new regulation that will replace the current Data Protection Directive of 1995. It is intended to enhance and unify data protection for all individuals living in an EU member state. Arguably this will be a world-wide piece of legislation, which will eventually be expected to be in place for any responsible company wherever they are based.

The main aim of the legislation is to return an element of control to citizens and residents regarding how their personal data is acquired, stored, secured and processed. It also gives people the right to access, challenge and amend their data, information such as name, address, email address, financial details, posts on social networks, photographs, medical records and even an IP address.
It replaces the outdated Data Protection Directive by factoring in new technologies and emerging platforms, such as social media and cloud computing and it also creates a single interpretation of the directive for this regulation across the EU.

Both N and S Group and Mexborough Business Centre are now fully compliant with the GDPR regulations and will be happy to clarify any questions on the topic for customers, suppliers and/or potential clients. Please find links below to the policy on both respective web sites.

You can visit our updated Privacy Policy by clicking here.

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Unfortunately, due to the world we live in, many thefts from businesses are opportunistic, with thieves seizing unguarded vehicles or property or noticing an opportunity to break in through unlocked windows, gates or fire doors or by slipping in unnoticed through incoming or outgoing guests or building tenants. These types of thefts involve the quick removal of possessions and getting away quickly, sometimes without detection until after the event. Quite often, the thieves will wear hats or high-necked scarves to cover their faces from CCTV, which might otherwise capture their identity.

We are also all aware of today’s terrorist threats and whilst these are highly unlikely to occur at any SME business, never say never. It is better to be prepared, than not.

How to Make Your Premises Secure

Doing nothing is not an option. Having a security policy in place acts as a deterrent to thieves and is also as a way of making your workforce feel more secure with the knowledge that steps have been taken to protect them and their possessions.

We have listed a few possible steps of consideration:

Installing CCTV

An effectively installed CCTV system is an ideal way to monitor your site premises and capture to be alerted of any potential threats.

Different types of CCTV installations are available, such as monitored cameras (in this instance, cameras are manned by a trained professional and any movement causing concern alerts him/her to take the appropriate action.)

Other CCTV options include un-monitored cameras, which constantly record and offer a play back facility for viewing incidents of concern at a specified time or date post recording.

Static Manned Security

This option involves a Security Guard in position, patrolling around the site premises, offering a visible deterrent with access to instant forms of communication, such as a Wi-Fi headset, giving opportunity for a quick relay of information to other guards throughout the premises, alerting them of any potential threats and/or to call for additional assistance.

A good example of this kind of security is usually in place at a Warehouse or Distribution centre, where delivery vehicles are incoming and outgoing on a regular basis. The Guard can over-see all visitors and check the vehicle has the required permissions to enter and carrying the expected weight.

Mobile Patrol Security

Whilst manned security can involve a static guard (such as a Gatehouse or Door/Reception Supervision) a Mobile Patrol Security Guard will constantly patrol your site/premises, offering a visible deterrent but also can monitor any potential threats.

Working in conjunction with CCTV, a Mobile Patrol Guard can be alerted to any threat and take the required actions very quickly. This is the ultimate in manned security.

Mobile Security Guards are actively used in large retail, industrial, corporate and distribution company sites

Key holding and Alarm Response

This kind of Security involves the distribution of a key in circumstances if or when your site alarm is activated the Security guard will then respond on-site as soon as possible. The advantage of this kind of Security is that a trained professional will be the first on scene upon alarm activation, rather than a member of staff.

The alarm activation could be a false alarm, but it could just as easily be a real incident that you don’t want staff being unnecessarily exposed to.

Our Security Service

At N&S Group, we can offer any or all of the above Security Services, including an initial threat level assessment, as part of, or separate to our overall Facilities Management.

If you would like more information about this or any other service we provide, please email us at peter@newmansupport.co.uk or use the Call Back form on this page.

Alternatively, our telephone contact is 01709 583708.

The post Security for your Business appeared first on N & S Group - Providing Commercial Services and Facilities Management Throughout Yorkshire.

Below are suggestions for optimising the space to achieve a bright and beautiful spring picture for visiting guests

Planting Spring Flowers/Bulbs

Please get in touch if you are wanting to plant spring bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and snowdrops and you will see some of these bulbs pushing through the soil ready to bloom in the next few weeks.

Various species of daffodils give a wonderful blast of yellow during the late winter months and prepare us for the spring ahead.

Planting various bulbs such as tulips and bluebells, could serve as the start of the colour show. We can make lots of suggestions, depending on your grounds and the colours you want to see.

Clearing Up Flower Beds and Borders

Many flower beds and borders will have been left over Winter and will now look rather untidy.

Dead flowers, bushes that have shed their leaves etc which will have put a certain amount of goodness back in to the soil over the winter could now potentially be obscuring spring bulbs and spoiling the general appearance of your Business grounds. Contact us for a pre-spring clear up and we’ll knock 20 per cent off your bill.

Preparing the Soil for the Year Ahead

As we crawl towards spring, it is important after removing the growth from the previous year, that the soil is prepared ready for the year ahead.

This can be done by waiting until the soil is workable (not hard due to frost etc) and mix in approx. 5cm of Organic matter such as manure or compost in to the beds and/or borders. This is something our grounds maintenance teams can do quickly and efficiently.

This will release much needed nutrition and help feed the soil for the upcoming months.

Removing the Early Weeds

It is always great to see the first snowdrops appear but unfortunately the weeds don’t take long to grow and if not taken care of, can spread at an alarming rate.

At this time of year, it is quite easy to remove the weeds, as the root system will be shallow. Act quickly because allowed to grow, they will become far more troublesome to remove.

Let us be your Grounds Maintenance Team

At N&S Group we are experts in all the above techniques. Our aim is to advertise our skills through producing well kept, beautiful grounds for all our clients, making sure your business site looks great throughout the year. For a 20 per cent discount on spring ready maintenance, please contact us.

Call us on 01709 583708 or fill the ‘Request Call Back’ form on this page.

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The driver never stopped, so we don’t know exactly how this happened, but the fallen stone was causing an obstruction, not only on the pavement but also on the road, where large pieces of debris were creating a potential hazard.

Cleaning and Making the Scene Safe

In corporation with the Council, the road and pavement were cleared straight away and the wall was made safe to avoid further debris breaking off. The area was cleared, gritted and cones and pedestrian signs placed in full view of the area.

Due to the icy conditions, the team had to respond in double quick time.

Re-building the Wall

The team were able to start rebuilding the damaged wall at 9:30am, less than two hours after attending the scene. Fortunately, the original stone was able to be salvaged and it was successfully re-built.

Icy Conditions

N & S Group are currently preparing for action following the bad weather warnings this weekend. These accidents are just the type of thing that can happen when we’re not prepared for the weather. Please contact us for a winter service quote as soon as possible! Don’t leave it until the last minute!

The post Emergency Call Out for Damaged Wall appeared first on N & S Group - Providing Commercial Services and Facilities Management Throughout Yorkshire.

N & S group attended the property forum meeting in Doncaster yesterday, which was in our opinion one of the most exciting ones we’ve attended yet!

We felt the theme was very much about transformation and how businesses and councils are able to facilitate change for the better.

UK Workspace displayed insights into their amazing and innovative transformation of buildings, factories to creches and industrial shells to offices.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council talked about their Asset Disposal Programme, which effectively means the selling of council assets to raise money for purchasing new and modern commercial property, homes and space, which will spark a natural production of new jobs. In turn this will raise money through council tax, and business rates generated from the tenants of these new properties.

This cycle is intended to transform the portfolio of publicly owned space and keep it fresh and fit for purpose. Doncaster Planning Council Update by Roy Sykes gave an encouraging insight into how the council are implementing a study for their town planning which will review all existing programmes in the light of all future developments and take advice from a range of experts and consultants as to where these might be better aligned or altered to make maximum economic impact.

Transformational Changes

Tim Wood NPR Rail Director for Transport North highlighted the transformational changes expected in the North, focussing on the connectivity and how this will positively impact the area. He talked about the fact that railway use has grown by 185% since 1995 and is expected to rise.

According to a transformational growth scenario created by an independent economic review by Northern Powerhouse, 850,000 new jobs will be created by 2050, putting 100 billion pounds back into the economy. Wow!

The very creation of this complex and exciting new venture alone will make the UK a world leader for high speed rail skills. Such pioneering engineering will attract investment and result in employment and as Doncaster is at the heart of the project, this will mean a significant increase in local jobs.

Trains will all eventually become high speed. There is no road back for progression. We can only move forward in the knowledge that HS2 is the first of many high-speed trains. We must therefore recognise the evolution has started and embrace it, take advantage and effectively ride on its economic coat tails.

High Speed Connections are Here to Stay

Whether you are for HS2 or not, it cannot be denied that high speed connections are here to stay and networks like this one will be implemented between all our towns and cities around Yorkshire and throughout the UK.

Our Director Pete Newman, who attended the forum meeting was particularly excited by the plans and said he feels this is “a great opportunity for Doncaster people who want to be a part of something new.”

As a facilities management company offering grounds, site, building, winter maintenance and commercial cleaning, we will certainly hope to get involved wherever we can with any of these new projects that arise in the wake of HS2.

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