The global pandemic, coupled with the fallout from the UK Brexit deal, has had a huge impact on UK businesses.

The commercial cleaning sector is one such sector that has been hit hard by these major developments.

In this article, we will be outlining the impact that Brexit and COVID-19 have had on the commercial cleaning sector, before sharing how JMS Cleaning has been navigating this difficult period.

What impact has Brexit and COVID-19 had on UK companies?

According to the Office of National Statistics, in October 2021, 6% of UK companies permanently ceased trading.

Furthermore, the ONS figures show that the Administrative and Support Service sector (which includes commercial cleaning companies) has been one of the most seriously affected.

According to the ONS, 10% of companies in the sector ceased trading in October, which is significantly higher than the average rate across all sectors.

Although the pandemic has, naturally, necessitated that all companies improve their cleaning procedures, this hasn’t created an overall net increase in profits for professional cleaners.

In fact, a recent report from the British Cleaning Council revealed that:

“The service sector has not recovered to pre pandemic levels. As part of the service sector, the cleaning and hygiene industry is directly impacted by the operation of other sectors.”

Since 31% of all businesses had temporarily or permanently closed sites in March 2021, a staggering 50% of UK businesses stating that COVID-19 has increased their financial losses, and 1 in 5 UK businesses reporting that they experienced trade disruption, it is easy to see how the cleaning sector was heavily impacted by this nationwide fallout.

Since companies are rapidly closing their offices, some temporarily and others permanently, there is much less need for professional cleaning services.

According to a fascinating report by Savill’s, in the City of London, there has been a 50% decrease in the uptake of office spaces, as a direct result of the pandemic. And, with many businesses benefitting from the cost savings of reducing their office spaces and encouraging staff to work from home, it’s unlikely that office rentals will return to pre-pandemic levels any time soon.

Alongside the fact that COVID-19 has significantly cut many business’s profits, the pandemic has also caused major staffing issues (as many staff were either required to work from home, or were put on furlough) and has forced organisations to change their normal supply chain, due to transportation or supply issues.

The challenge of this period is two-fold, as organisations also have to cope with the long-term impact of Brexit.

Many UK companies, including those in the commercial sector, have had to quickly re-think their operations, in order to navigate new legislation and restrictions.

Firstly, the reduction in free movement of migrant workers, many of whom are employed in the cleaning sector, has caused significant staffing issues. Now, many of these workers will no longer have the authority to work in the UK, meaning commercial cleaning companies have to quickly find new talent to hire within the UK.  

Although some are of the opinion that this gives UK cleaners more opportunities for employment, there will inevitably be significant competition within the job market, amongst different hiring companies. This shortage of non UK workers caused by Brexit has driven up costs due to the competition to get the right cleaning staff

How are commercial cleaning companies navigating this period?

Although the situation is still complicated and challenging, the cleaning sector at large is adapting its practices and cleaning procedures, in order to respond to the situation in the best way possible.

Despite facing some of the greatest challenges of our generation, we are immensely proud to say that JMS Cleaning is still successfully overcoming these hurdles.

We have achieved this by innovating and adapting, re-thinking our services in order to provide a best-fit solution for the current requirements of our clients.

A key example of this is the flexibility of our service. We work with our clients to develop flexible cleaning schedules, which work around their requirements and working hours.

We also offer a wide range of contracted cleaning plans, including everything from daily schedules, to a one-off cleaning service. Furthermore, we can also tailor our services to fulfil the specific requirements of sites in any industry, of any size.

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s never been more important to keep your business clean, sanitised and free of germs. Starting by creating the perfect cleaning routine, here at JMS Cleaning Services we get to work using up to date products and methods to keep your workplace sanitised. We also conduct fogging so that the entire space is deep cleaned. Fogging is a quick and efficient way to disinfect surfaces across large areas without missing anything. The fog produced is antimicrobial, eliminating traces of COVID-19 and other types of viruses for up to two months. It is utterly harmless to humans.

It is this flexibility, coupled with the outstanding quality of our service and our commitment to using the industry’s most effective cleaning products, that has enabled us to achieve a rate of repeat business of over 90%.

So, if you would like to find out more about any of our commercial cleaning services, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch with the JMS Cleaning team today.

The post The impact of Brexit & COVID-19 on the Commercial Cleaning Sector appeared first on JMS Cleaning Services.

Facilities managers are integral for the smooth running of commercial buildings and the efficiency of day-to-day business operations. When considering strategic planning, costs will be at the forefront of many decisions, especially in the current economic climate, and by being open to new ideas you can keep operations streamlined. From cutting energy costs to being savvy with your supplier selection, there are many options open to facilities managers for keeping your buildings economical. Here are some top tips for shrewd cost cutting.

1. Be open to new ideas

If you are looking to make savings for a building you’ve managed for a while, or are just searching for new ways to make improvements, some outside the box thinking may be required. Don’t be afraid to look into ideas that may seem more unusual and always stay on the lookout for ways to improve current systems. So long as you thoroughly evaluate the balance of initial investment versus long-term savings, creative strategies should be given due consideration.

2. Start small

Often, it can take big investment to make big savings. For example, retrofitting or replacing your HVAC system for a more energy efficient one. However, businesses often don’t have the cash to hand to make large changes, even if it will save money over the longer-term. In these instances, small, gradual changes can be a preferable choice, from a financial perspective, and can allow savings to be made instantly. Consider changing to more energy efficient LED lights, installing motion sensors for lighting, or reviewing HVAC usage. The savings from small changes could even be used to save for significant upgrades.

3. Cutting energy costs

Energy usage will always be an area worth examining to see if savings can be made. With sustainability and eco-friendliness being major concerns across industries, there are continuous developments and advancements in technology in this area which lead to improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption. Think more energy efficient light bulbs and hand dryers, cutting back on site lighting and turning off electronics at night, zoning your HVAC system effectively, and maybe installing eco flush toilets and motion sensor taps to reduce water consumption.

Installing solar panels on unused roof space can be another way to enhance sustainability and even make money from selling the energy back to the grid.

4. Review your suppliers and contracts

Look at your outgoings carefully, do your research, and see whether you could get better deals with other suppliers. Whether it is utilities, cleaning supplies or vending machine snacks, even small savings each month will build up over time, so don’t let the switching process put you off.

You can also try to negotiate a better deal with your current suppliers, particularly if you can incentivise the savings. For example, your current cleaners might be willing to give you a better rate for using their services across several offices or buildings, instead of just one.
 

5. Carry out preventive maintenance

It may be tempting to cancel or cut back on routine maintenance of equipment when looking for places to save on costs, but this is a bad idea. To ensure that your equipment and office environment stays as efficient and functional as possible, it is worth paying out small amounts for preventive maintenance rather than large amounts for substantial repairs.

Equipment maintenance will enable peak performance, increase apparatus lifespan, reduce downtime and maintain safety. Regular cleaning of your premises should also be kept up to ensure a presentable, professional and safe environment for staff and visitors. Routine cleans will ensure equipment stays fully operational and will increase the lifespan of fittings and fixtures, preventing replacements – such as carpet refits – from being needed for longer.

JMS Cleaning Services offer a superior cleaning service for commercial customers throughout the North West – including Manchester and Chester. Our practiced and thorough team have experience cleaning a wide variety of commercial premises, and will tailor our services to the size and requirements of your individual business. For more information about our services, or to discuss your business’s needs, get in touch with our helpful team today.

The post Cutting costs: tips for facilities managers appeared first on JMS Cleaning Services.

Here at JMS Cleaning Services, our team have a wealth of experience cleaning schools and day nurseries to a high quality.

We specialise in Day Nursery Cleaning, if you need our help, give us a call on [ld_default] for a quote today!

We’ve listed some of the reasons why regular cleaning for a day nursery is essential below.

Covid-19 School Safety

To prevent the spread of Covid-19, it is important that all staff and students can wash / sanitise their hands regularly. Be sure to have sanitising stations or pumps around the school.

The Government have said that the use of face coverings by staff and pupils in some schools, and to learners in further education is mandatory. Children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults.

– Wash your Hands, Wear a Mask and Social Distance.

See more Government information.

Clean environment

Regular cleaning of your day nursery will ensure there is a consistently tidy, hygienic environment. Regardless of the health benefits of a clean nursery, regular maintenance makes it an overall better place for the children to spend their day in, and for staff to work in.

– Clean workplaces, schools, and nurseries all promote a more welcoming, positive atmosphere, so employing cleaning services to keep your day nursery spick and span will make everyone happier to be there.

Food safety

It can be difficult to keep track of all the children in a day nursery, and to make sure they are washing their hands at appropriate times. This can often lead to food becoming contaminated, or surfaces used to prepare food not being clean.

Having a regular cleaning service will ensure surfaces are frequently cleared of bacteria and stay hygienic for food to be prepared on or eaten off.

– With young children particularly susceptible to illness or even food poisoning from bacteria picked up when handling improperly prepared food, it is essential that these areas are kept clean constantly.

Infection prevention

Young children and babies are vulnerable to germs, lacking the immune systems that enable adults to easily fight off germs that can be picked up from food and surfaces and transmitted through the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Germs picked up by young children in the day nursery could quickly lead to infection and illness, so it’s essential that the environment is kept clean and germ-free.

– Our regular cleaning service sanitizes every surface, ensuring that germs that may be found throughout the day nursery are eradicated, preventing infection to the children.

Professional cleaning

Your employees may not have the time or the adequate training to ensure your day nursery is cleaned thoroughly and on a regular basis. This is essential to ensure the spread of infection and illness to young children is eliminated, so the best course of action is to hire a professional cleaning service to take the burden off your staff.

We specialise in Day Nursery Cleaning, if you need our help, give us a call on [ld_default] for a quote today!

Our team provide a consistent high quality clean to your premises, and our flexible schedules mean we can fit in with your requirements. Get in touch with us today for more information, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

The post The Importance of Regular Cleaning for Day Nurseries appeared first on JMS Cleaning Services.

Improved productivity

Not only has it been proven that a cleaner work environment promotes productivity amongst employees, but using commercial cleaning services for your windows also ensures employees can focus on their own job responsibilities. Rather than having the additional task of cleaning windows, a cleaner can carry out this task safely and efficiently, while staff can do their main tasks.

Safety

Keeping the windows clean makes everyone safer, reducing the risk of hazards in the workplace. What’s more, using a professional cleaning services ensures your windows will be cleaned by a trained professional. Window cleaning can be dangerous, and having untrained employees tasked with this job could put them at risk.

Maintains Hygiene

Maintaining hygiene standards within the workplace is extremely important, as germs and bacteria can easily spread to all employees. Keeping the windows free of dirt and grime is just another step to ensuring a healthy atmosphere remains in the office, and that uncleanly windows are not putting employees’ health at risk.

Good impressions

Dirty windows are not only unhygienic but also unsightly, and can make a bad impression on both employees and guests to the office. Keeping them clean regularly reflects the professionalism of your business, and will likely make a lasting impression on your clients.

Better presentation

Our commercial cleaners use industry approved tools and a wealth of experience to ensure the job is carried out safely and professionally. This will result in a far better finish than an untrained employee trying to clean the windows, and will also mean that they do not need to be done again for a while.

Here at JMS Cleaning Services, we offer premier window cleaning throughout the North West, providing high-quality, professional cleaning services at competitive prices.

Contact us today for more information on the services we offer, or to discuss your office’s cleaning needs, and we’ll be happy to help.

The post The Benefits of Regular Window Cleaning appeared first on JMS Cleaning Services.

It’s easy for illness and germs to spread quickly around an office environment with many people, so keeping on top of the office cleaning through a professional commercial cleaning service is important to ensure a healthy and tidy working environment. We’ve listed just a few of the many benefits of having a tidy office space below!

Prevents Illness Spreading

Studies have shown that bacteria can spread rapidly around offices, with the majority of germs found in communal areas such as kitchens, on door handles and on light switches. If this is not monitored then illness can quickly spread around everyone using the premises, which can only be bad for business! A frequently cleaned office keeps bacteria at bay.

Less Stress

Messy desks can lead to you not being able to find the right notes, and feeling terribly unorganised! A clean space will allow you to relax knowing that everything is in it’s rightful place and easily accessible should you need it.

Increased efficiency

Office cleaning provides staff with a tidy workplace that in turn, maximises productivity. It has been proven that a clean working environment enables workers to focus on their daily tasks more efficiently and without distraction. Messy desks, on the other hand, can hinder people from working and lead to increased procrastination instead.

Better professional reputation

A clean and tidy office can make a huge impression on visitors and clients as soon as they’ve stepped through the door. Investing in a professional cleaning services ensures your business’ reputation stays as sparkling as the kitchen floor.

Less Safety Risks

Not only can an untidy office potentially spread germs and illness, but it could also present the risk of safety, too. Loose carpet tiles, dangerously stacked paperwork and messy kitchens can all pose a risk to staff, these should be regularly looked after and monitored to ensure everything is functioning safely.

Here at JMS Cleaning, we offer bespoke cleaning services to suit each client’s individual needs. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and we’ll be happy to help.

The post The Benefits of a Tidy Office appeared first on JMS Cleaning Services.

Illnesses such as colds are spread either through the air when someone sneezes or coughs, or they are passed on from surfaces through touch. As much as the ideal solution would be for people displaying cold-like symptoms to stay away from the office, in reality this is not going to happen. People feel the pressure of work, and are reluctant to take time off. In any case, people are usually contagious with the cold virus a couple of days before the symptoms display, so it may well be a moot point anyway.

The easiest way to prevent illness spreading is by using tissues when sneezing or coughing, and by regular hand washing. Whether with soap and water, or by keeping hand sanitiser by the desk, regular hand washing is seen as the key by many. Try to avoid touching the face, since your hands may have already touched an infected surface. When washing your hands, do so thoroughly, preferably for at least twenty seconds. Wash them in particular before and after eating, after visiting the rest-room, and after coughing , sneezing or blowing your nose.

Therefore keeping office surfaces clean is a very simple way of reducing the potential for colds to spread. Having cleaners that clean the office on a regular basis will help keep surfaces clear of infection that employees may otherwise come into contact with. A flu virus can remain on a surface for up to eight hours, while a cold virus can remain for three hours. Therefore keeping all surfaces such as desks, copiers, doorknobs, and keyboards clean is essential, and probably best done as part of a routine clean.

Of course there are many things that we can all do to help ourselves reduce the chance of becoming ill. Anything that helps bolster the immune system has to be a big plus. This includes diet – proper nutritious meals with plenty of leafy green vegetables. Exercise also helps boost the immune system, as does a good nights sleep.

It can be immensely frustrating and annoying when seeing fellow employees not following basic hygiene etiquette, such as holding their hand over the mouth when coughing. Yet even so there are still quite a few ways people can help minimise the chances of becoming ill themselves. Regular surface cleaning in the office, with regular hand washing, is a good basis to work from.

The best way to ensure that your office is free from germs is to have regular commercial office cleaning from experienced professionals. The team at JMS Cleaning Services are the leading providers of commercial office cleaning across the North West of England. Get in touch today to find out more.

The post How Cleaning Helps to Prevent Illness at Work appeared first on JMS Cleaning Services.