Larnook has begun its phased return to work, with three sites re-activated following lockdown.

Projects in Liverpool, Redditch and Powys are now back underway after the company instigated new working protocols based on government guidance.  More than 30 skilled tradesmen have now returned to work across the three sites.  Further schemes in Manchester and Bristol will come on-stream shortly.

“Our health and safety team has developed a safe working procedure that draws on the government’s advice and this means we can complete jobs in a secure way,” said Larnook managing director Chris Evans.  “Building workers are energetic types and the team was itching to get back to work.”

A gang of 15 workers is now on site in mid-Wales completing the specialised façade treatments of 73 pre-fabricated homes for developer Places for People. They will then put the finishing touches on site at Alaska Street in Blackburn.

“It’s an interesting project that is enabling new, more efficient methods of construction whilst reducing programme time.  It’ll be great to see it finished,” said Evans.

And Evans says that, in spite of the problems lockdown has posed for various sectors of the economy, he believes there is room for optimism.

“We have lots of live enquiries from developers keen to kick-start projects.  Britain is a fundamentally entrepreneurial nation and plenty of people want to get the country moving again.”

The move back on site follows an extensive review of latest government guidance by Larnook’s health and safety team, says Evans.

“It’s something of a moving feast at the moment, with regulations being updated by government as new evidence comes to light about how best we can all manage the covid issue.  We’ll keep things under review and make changes to our operating procedures as required.  The safety of our team, our suppliers and our clients is clearly a key consideration for us.”