Building Facilities Management

Signum helps innovation centre bounce back with a bang

When Doncaster Business Innovation Centre was preparing to get back to business, it appointed Signum.

The centre, which offers flexible and modern offices to small businesses, needed help to reopen having been closed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We were approached by Arthur Street Developments Doncaster Ltd, a company owned by Doncaster Council which manages and operates DBIC, in December 2020, and awarded a six-month contract to assist with their reopening.

The contract for building facilities management service meant we oversaw the reopening of the premises following closure due to the pandemic and arranged all necessary risk assessments.

This included providing facilities management support to ensure compliance with all health and safety legislation – an especially vital service following the pandemic. We also made sure statutory building management requirements were followed and undertook general maintenance tasks.

The centre retendered their facilities management contract in June, 2021, and we secured a five-year contract.

We continue to ensure the building is managed safely in terms of facilities and building compliance. We undertake a building management role coordinating statutory and reactive maintenance, undertaking building safety checks and managing the control of contractors on and off site. We also carry out a range of daily, weekly and monthly compliance tasks and provide a helpdesk for inquiries and reporting issues.

We recently completed renovation works converting an office into a new kitchen area for the centre’s businesses.

Jill Wood, managing director at Signum, said: “DBIC is home to many innovative small businesses in the Doncaster community so we were thrilled to help the centre with its reopening following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our highly-skilled team specialises in managing and delivering building maintenance, from electrical and mechanical to planned and reactive maintenance. The pandemic has made businesses more keenly aware of their maintenance management responsibilities and their obligations to staff and building users.

“We are in regular contact with Arthur Street Developments Doncaster and DBIC to ensure any issues that arise are addressed quickly and with the minimum of disruption to businesses who operate there.

“As a responsible organisation, Arthur Street Developments Doncaster sought the expertise of our award-winning team and we were very pleased to play a part in the successful reopening of DBIC. Ninety-five per cent of clients retain our services and we were happy to be entrusted with a long-term facilities management contract with DBIC.”

Sarah Fish, Principal Surveyor – Strategic Asset Management at Doncaster Council, said:

“Signum provide an efficient service and proactive approach. They are willing to undertake a multitude of tasks and the recent kitchen refit has enhanced the building in a short timescale and cost within budget.

“Client and tenant communication is excellent, regular monthly meetings ensure all matters are discussed and any issues are addressed in a timely manner. Jill and the Signum team are approachable and maintain regular contact with our staff, providing invaluable support.”