For a new brick-and-mortar business, securing the new premises is a big step in turning the concept into a reality. In many ways, though, it’s just a beginning. Turning an empty unit into a tidy, productive workspace requires planning, although it doesn’t need to be too much of a stressor on the financial side of things if handled right. The best way to look at it is as a four-week or one-month process. From a basic shell to a buzzing workplace, here are your indispensable steps.
Week One: Map it, mark it, make it safe
The only tools you will need for this stage of the process are thick tape, a marker, and a clipboard. This is how you start to visualise the shape of the premises.
- Use tape to mark a layout on the floor; cordon off where benches, desks, shelving and walkways will go. Ensure that the main paths are wide and straight.
- Mark no-go signs around doors, shutters, and electrics. Identify where the emergency exists are and keep clear sightlines to fire extinguishers.’
- Confirm the location of sockets, circuit breakers, and any water sources and drains – and label them for reference.
- Perform a lighting check, standing in each zone at dusk. Try to read a label – if you struggle to do this, then more light is needed.
Much of the work can be DIYed, but if fixes are needed on the electrics, a qualified electrician must carry it out, and equally specialists like Smeaton Services will be needed for repairs or amendments to pipework. Contacting these experts early allows you to keep things moving.
Weeks Two-Three: Install the bones
Visualisation complete, it is time to turn the shell into something resembling a workspace. In this step, practicality is essential.
- Storage should be convenient and unobtrusive. Put everything that needs to be used often at elbow height and close to where it will be used. Label shelves and drawers before loading them so there is no question where things are going.
- Lighting should be brightest in the areas where people will be working, and should be on a toggle switch which is operated when needed. Motion-sensitive lighting will suffice for corridors and stores.
- Cabling should be run along walls, and trunked for tidiness. It shouldn’t cross any walkways, even under a carpet.
- Signage should be prominent and simple, and kept to what’s needed in the workplace: First Aid information, PPE reminders, Fire exit signs and a whiteboard for daily priorities. A simple site map can be beneficial for security, too.
- Think about the quick comforts: these include a drinks station, water cooler, and decent easy-to-reach bins.
Week Four: Soft open, and fix what needs fixing
To be sure that the premises are ready for real work, the final week of the installation process should be used for a dry run. Game out a working cycle such as processing a sizeable order from start to finish. Time each step and see where people slow down, are made to wait, or double back for something – these are areas where improvement can be made. Add hooks and trays where clutter appears and adjust desks or benches.
Finally, carry out a safety sweep, checking emergency routes are fit for purpose and fire alarms and extinguishers are working. Print up a list of emergency contacts and an open/close checklist, and you’re ready to shut down for the weekend ahead of the real opening.
