CSH Transport is a privately-owned, family-run logistics specialist. Based in Lancashire, the company has operated across the UK and Europe in dry freight, liquid bulk, specialist chemical transportation and storage for over 40 years.
Overview
With its two-storey office in need of an update, CSH Transport engaged Thompsons to deliver its refurbishment in 2020. Located in Blackburn, the 700m2 office is in an independent block, alongside a 6,000m2 warehouse and lorry park, also owned by the company.
The existing workplace was outdated, and the small offices and dark panelling created an uninspiring work environment.
CSH Transport is a privately-owned, family-run logistics specialist. Based in Lancashire, the company has operated across the UK and Europe in dry freight, liquid bulk, specialist chemical transportation and storage for over 40 years.
Overview
With its two-storey office in need of an update, CSH Transport engaged Thompsons to deliver its refurbishment in 2020. Located in Blackburn, the 700m2 office is in an independent block, alongside a 6,000m2 warehouse and lorry park, also owned by the company.
The existing workplace was outdated, and the small offices and dark panelling created an uninspiring work environment. Starting with the ground floor, we undertook extensive structural works to transform the office into a modern, light, open-plan workspace. Centred around an industrial design concept, we created workstations for up to 40 people, a breakout coffee area, a driver’s kitchen and check-in desk, a transport planning area and new toilets. Using full-height glass walls, we formed meeting rooms and offices for the directors, and installed a new steel staircase and industrial cladding.
Our Work
We started work on site for CSH Transport on 22 June 2020. Originally planned as a ten-week refurbishment, we decided to extend the programme to 16 weeks due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. With the UK in a national lockdown and infection rates high in the area, our client was understandably nervous about the project going ahead at the time.
With new precautions successfully in place across all of our projects, we developed a plan to reassure our client that the refurbishment could proceed safely. The project covered two floors, and some of CSH’s employees occupied the office throughout the works. However, with some staff working from home, we were able to relocate office-based employees to one floor while we worked on the other. This approach, coupled with separate entrances, enabled our site operatives and CSH Transport’s staff to be completely isolated from one another throughout the project.
The safety of all using the building was our priority throughout the works, so we stripped back our delivery team to three core members and extended the programme to reduce the number of trades on site at any one time, enabling effective social distancing.
A key member of our site team throughout the scheme was apprentice Harvey Brooks. As a partner of the Blackpool and the Fylde College, we offer trade-based and professional apprenticeships to help people gain valuable knowledge, career skills and workplace experience. Harvey is an apprentice joiner and was one of three core Thompson’s team members on site throughout the office refurbishment.
We successfully handed over the completed office to CSH Transport in August 2020 and are in discussions with the family about future projects, including the refurbishment of their existing car park and warehouse to allow for 30-40 company vehicles to be located.
How we added value
- Safety first – operated a COVID-19 safe site during the first national lockdown in the UK.
- Reassurance – developed a client-approved plan to avoid delaying the project until after the pandemic.
- Design – utilised our in-house design team to develop the detailed design and advise on finishes.
- Apprenticeship – trained an apprentice joiner throughout the project as one of three core team members.
