Producing a Timeless Classic

The start of 2019 has been a busy period for the abs group, but we’re not complaining, far from it, as we enter the fourth month of the calendar year our processes effectively showcase our ability to produce timeless, classic work for our highly valued clients through our expert services.

Thus, our latest work has included winning a bid at Classic House for a CAT A transformation for none other than London Property Magnate. The project requirements included a connection to be built from one building to the other, creating a link between the door buildings on the third floor in addition to a staircase refurbishment.

Within the same building, Prezzo has premises that they requested to be refurbished after viewing our work. Prezzo asked us to carry out the work on their offices in the building, which ultimately branched out to a CAT B fit-out, which included an acoustic meeting space.

The works completed by our expert team were appreciated so much by the company, that we were asked to finalise the job by creating a Roof Terrace for the building for all to enjoy.

Through a workplace and property appraisal, we were able to develop a plan and strategy to revive the current working environment and make better use of the current structure to introduce new, improved facilities and eventually expand their workforce.

The abs group were only too pleased to provide Design, Planning and Fit Out of such works. Our professionalism and workmanship have essentially lead to the modernisation, renovation & refurbishment of the existing premises to allow the integration of new and effective business connection.

Furthermore, an office refurbishment is a great idea to reassess your working environment and identify key issues that lead to a better future for all concerned, from team members to clients. It also eradicates the need to move premises.

The abs group can assist you and help you to assess your building for improvements, much like the case study above.

With extensive experience in occupied refurbishment projects, as office refurbishment contractors, we know that your staff cannot be disrupted, so our team will work alongside you to develop a suitable outcome. Our duty to health and safety also ensures we can work in and around your workforce if necessary.

Now is the time to call abs group on 01245 360060 to discuss your project and allow us to produce the timeless classic you require.

Business Club Partnership

The abs Group are proud to announce a Business Club Partnership with the London Stadium.  This partnership provides us with an exciting opportunity to showcase our brand, within an iconic architectural great, whilst offering a wonderful opportunity to partner with and support, local businesses and communities.

The Stadium was of course the home for the 2012 London Olympics, with a capacity of over 50,000, the stadium changed the landscape for many Londoners and is a huge example of how you can refurbish and refit a space, to change its purpose and popularity.

This brilliant new partnership will showcase our company brand and services within and surrounding the stadium during West Ham match days, Have you seen us yet?

If you would like to see more of how we, at the abs Group refurbish and refit spaces, why not head over on this link to read some of our case studies.

Competition time!

With this great new venture, we wanted to give you a chance to get involved with us and win a brand new ‘Fitbit’!

All you have to do is, take a photograph of any of the abs Group logos when they appear on the screens and Hashtag ‘#absfitmeout’ either via twitter to us @theabsgroup or email it to, info@abs.group with a fun message.

We would love a selfie of you with the logo(s), but this is not essential.

At the end of this season we will pick out our favorite message and announce our lucky winner!

A Better Start, Supporting Families in Southend

“A Better Start” were able to showcase their 10 year program on the news recently, highlighting their centre and the support that they give to families living in and around the Southend area.

Here at the abs Group, we are immensely proud to have been able to work with “A Better Start”, to support these families, by creating a safe space on the roof for the children to play.  As well as a new Parent Hub and Children’s Activity area, within the building.

        

Providing Global Solutions For Global Companies

As our clients are happy to testify, the abs group specialise in commercial fit-out and refurbishments that come hassle free, convenient & professional.  An indication as to why many organisations choose to work with us, and leading us to be currently working in collaboration with our partners, on a project for S&P Global, an Intelligence company, based in Canary Wharf, who require the refurbishment of their company reception and cafeteria area, quickly and efficiently.

We have begun by incorporating a bespoke re-designed break out area for staff and have including high-quality breakout meeting booths and added ambient lighting, all whilst enhancing the company approach of taking care of its valued staff and providing them with an environment, where they can flourish.

In the reception area, a specialist IT Tech-bar has been designed (please see CGI images), manufactured and will be installed, to provide In-house support for employees & visitors with those tiresome ‘Techy issues’ we all have. Whilst the walls and ceilings are being given a brand-new look and feel, with bespoke wall paneling, to create a natural flow.

Whilst on site, we continue to demonstrate our professionalism and versatility, providing a first-class service, in an area of the capital, where there is a high volume of human footfall for a commercially worldwide organisation such as S&P Global. We ensure that our client has minimal disruption, also ensuring health and safety is being maintained to the letter.

Our extensive knowledge of the refurbishment sector for global companies, allows us to walk through every stage of the process with our clients, ensuring all areas of work are taken into consideration, whilst meeting their budgetary requirements, creating clever space-saving solutions and eye-catching designs that leave a lasting impression.

We want you to experience the transformation of your business premises in the most positive way, working to the quickest achievable timescales coupled with high quality delivery.

Perhaps now is the time that your business requires a modern touch? Now is the time to call abs group on 01245 360060 to discuss your project today!

Swinging into The Festive Season On Par!

While the sport of Golf is more associated with the Summer season, you may enjoy channeling your inner Tiger Woods on the fairway. However, here at abs group we have used our expertise to refurbish a Golf Club in South Bedfordshire.

We are a leading specialist in refurbishment, but not only of shopfitting or commercial fit outs, we’re able to also project manage and produce the desired outcome for more unique areas such as a Golf course. We strive for perfection, no fore-get-me-nots on our watch!

We are a leading specialist in refurbishment, but not only of shopfitting or commercial fit outs, we’re able to also project manage and produce the desired outcome for more unique areas such as a Golf course. We strive for perfection, no fore-get-me-nots on our watch!

With Christmas fast approaching and the year coming to an end, we would like to point you in the direction of the beautiful fairway intertwined within the South Bedfordshire area where the festive period may allow you some time off to dust off those clubs and enjoy a few holes.

The course is one that professionals would enjoy with their putter or nine-iron – Dustin Johnson, Kevin Kisner and Tommy Fleetwood, if you’re reading this and don’t fancy partaking in a tournament any time soon and fancy a course that offers something different, you’re always welcome to open up your swing and break out an Eagle or maybe an Albatross!

We pride ourselves on vision and honesty, with us there is complete transparency. We want you to experience the transformation of your project in the most positive way. We also offer you, a complete service into the following:

  • Financing
  • Project Management
  • Design and Space Planning
  • Shopfitting
  • New Furniture / Equipment
  • Move management

We can assist with helping you to finance your project, by way of introduction to financing companies that we partner with. We designate a project manager to you for the entirety of the project, this project manager will work closely with you, to deliver vision and give the feeling of that all-important hole in one.

If you wish to learn more about our client’s ultimate golfing experience thanks to the abs group or would like to find out more about our work in general, then you can contact us today to find out more information in to each service we provide – call abs group on 01245 360060 to discuss your project today!

National Stress Awareness Day

When was the last time you were stressed? Perhaps you’re stressed right now? If only there was a day that highlights the awareness that stress can put on someone… Luckily, National Stress Awareness Day on the first Wednesday of November each year is an event that the abs group are proud to support!

The feeling of stress is an everyday occurrence in our daily lives, from home pressures to working hard in your job, the overwhelming feeling of stress can potentially lead to mental health problems or make normal things you do seem like mountains to climb.

 

National Stress Awareness Day is a great opportunity to take a moment to think about our wellbeing and find advice or support on managing stress.

 

At the abs Group, we recognise the importance of wellbeing and ensuring that we are looking after our own mental health. A strong business such as ours, contains an inner core of individuals who matter – this should be the approach for every company to take.

 

With this in mind, we have come up with some ways our own employees can manage or eradicate the feeling of stress in the workplace. In our office we all have stress balls in easy reach, in case of an emergency!

 

In the same breath, our company loves to carry the weight of projects on our shoulders. This allows you, the client, to remain relaxed and be safe in the knowledge, that you are being taken care of, allowing you to focus on your own wellbeing and other work commitments that are of higher importance.

In October, the management team were treated to a trip out to Spain by our Managing Director. He recognises how hard everyone has been working and wanted to give the team a chance to recharge their batteries and take some time to relax. Tony understands the importance of staff well-being and how stress can have a negative impact on the team.

In addition to the mini break to Spain, we are installing in a new break-out area for the team, so that they can have a comfortable space, to relax and socialise. Luckily this is something that the abs Group are old hands at, so we can be safe knowing that the quality and installation, will be first class.

It’s worth remembering that if you know what makes you stressed, it will help not only you but also those you trust to help you deal with it. This is particularly important in the workplace where stresses of workload and working relationships are common – it’s good to talk!

 

We’re asking employers and employees alike to start the conversation about stress in the workplace. We support National Stress Awareness Day, if our staff can share their thoughts and feelings when they are feeling stressed, yours can too!

 

It can make a huge difference sharing how you’re feeling with friends and colleagues. By sharing you could get some great advice and tips or find you can support others who need help.

 

After all, a problem shared, is a problem halved. Together, stress can be eradicated and the feeling of belonging in a team overtakes.

Do you have any plans for National Stress Awareness Day? Whether you do or you don’t, join in with the fun of creating awareness – as our tagline suggests, we build with you in mind, literally!

 

Change is only around the corner if you welcome it with open arms. The abs group also have the ability to change your business with shopfitting, office furniture, project management, commercial fit out, refurbishment, interior design and space planning. You can call us today on 01245 360060 to discuss your project today!

 

In relation to our National Stress Awareness Day, you can also contact mental health charities such as Mind if you would like to seek professional guidance into the tough time you may be currently experiencing.

 

Ensure Your Fish & Chip Shop Is The Plaice To Be!

Whether the specials consist of a battered sausage, chips in newspaper or a nice piece of fresh fish, abs Group has a great deal of success partnering with Fish and Chip facilities – we’re able to transform your establishment and make it ‘the plaice’ to come and taste England’s most famous and well loved delicacy!

We are the leading specialist in refurbishment of Fish and Chip shops in the South East of England and offer a completely bespoke service, to fit to customer requirements and find the perfect solution for all your catering needs.

From the beginning we’re able to walk you through every stage of the process to make sure that your preparation, cooking and serving areas work well for you and your customers, while meeting on budget every time.

Our extensive knowledge of fitting out Fish and Chip shops and fast food premises means that we understand the specific requirements and challenges faced in this specific industry. We have taken the time to cultivate relationships with other partners, which allows us to offer you, the best quality products, fitted to the highest standard, at the right cost.

To carve out an excellent reputation for your Fish and Chip shop and maintain a community leading customer response, it is important to have clever space-saving solutions, health, safety and hygiene objectives fully fulfilled in addition to your overall eye-catching shop design.

We’re proud to present a case study on a recent job we have had the pleasure of working on:

Fish and Chip chain, Churchills, called upon our professional service, which involved the refurbishment of their premises in Bar Hill, North West Cambridge. A complete re-design and refit of the shop was undertaken, including all cooking and serving equipment required for the facility.

Thus, your equipment and fittings need to be able to withstand heavy use in a potentially hazardous environment. We use only the highest quality materials and products; from wall cladding to steel worktops, frying ranges to flooring, with expert design, supply and install courtesy of our qualified and dedicated shop fitters, craftsmen and engineers.

We pride ourselves on vision and honesty, with us there is complete transparency. We want you to experience the transformation of your shop in the most positive way – we know and understand the time constraints of a closure of your shop and the financial impact of that closure, so we work to the quickest achievable timescales coupled with high quality delivery.

We also offer you, a complete service:-

  • Financing
  • Project Management
  • Design and Space Planning
  • Shopfitting
  • New Furniture / Equipment
  • Move management

We can assist with helping you to finance your project, by way of introduction to financing companies that we partner with. We designate a project manager to you for the entirety of the project, this project manager will work closely with you, to deliver your tasty vision!

But don’t just take our word for it, our testimonials speak for themselves – we’re quite the catch of the day, ourselves…

“In 2014 we set out exciting new plans to re-brand all our 35 fast food stores at a fairly aggressive rate, and so I knew we would need to appoint a building contractor that we could trust. We researched long and hard to find the right company and carried out a tendering process to which the abs Group clearly stood out as competitive but also quality focused. The delivery of the projects to date have been outstanding! Nothing is ever too much trouble and the team at abs have really helped us to value engineer the projects and create a shop fit that stands out from the crowd. I would highly recommend them and in fact already have on several occasions!”— Paul Goodgame, Operations Director, The Chesterford Group

Perhaps we have left you with a taste for change? It’s time to call abs group on 01245 360060 to discuss your project today!

Autumn Interior Scenes

With the summer fast disappearing as we head into the season of Autumn, Britain will once again be riot with red, orange and yellow hues as the abundance of trees across the nation change colour and their leaves blanket the ground. Naturally, this makes for a wonderful time to explore the great outdoors, but is your indoor interior up to scratch?

The season full of colour and texture is a perfect time to consider change within your shop or office. Nothing epitomizes the change in season quite like the golden leaves falling, perhaps a change to your business interior may also be on the cards?

Cooler days and beautiful sky mornings set the scene for a business to thrive in a new professional environment. This time of year is the perfect opportunity to celebrate natural textures throughout a home or office, whether it be a complete rip-out or changing the layout of your furniture.

Just because the leaves are turning brown, doesn’t mean your business has to go down the same route. Extend the colourful season through your own creative ideas. Although if you need a helping hand, The abs Group are at your beck and call for all your interior design needs.

In addition, having more space for customers, new features and extra room to maneuver might be high on the agenda and eradicate the need to move premises as we approach a new calendar year in a few months.

The ABS Group provide an interior design and space planning service combining the creativity, flare & vision you would expect from an interior design consultancy with an extensive technical & architectural knowledge base.

We start by understanding your business, its culture, any budgetary constraints and your future requirements, to ensure your design will align with your strategy, as well as being visually pleasing. The detail and quality of information we take at this initial stage forms the foundations of your project which are vital to the end result.

As part of taking your brief, we will carry out a workplace audit and map your existing circumstances. This often helps determine the size and type of new work space you require. Sometimes this process highlights new alternatives, for example re-engineering your space and adopting new working practices within your existing property rather than moving.

If you are thinking of revamping your company’s interior design further in the Autumn season and beyond, then hiring a professional team to do the work on your business premises can be to your advantage. Here at The abs Group we visualise the space in a way that you had not thought possible before – we can be key in helping you getting the space and design you desire – call The ABS Group on 01245 360060 to discuss your project with the team today!

A Welcomed Office Refurbishment Is A Chance To Refresh

In case it’s slipped your notice, it’s ‘a bit’ hot across Britain at the moment! We’re currently experiencing a heatwave that’s been at its highest in over 40 years. But does the weather’s ambience make you a feel a little fatigued when sitting at your desk?

Unlike a summer’s holiday getaway to a warm foreign country, where you’ll no doubt be relaxing by the pool and lapping up the sun’s rays; the same cannot be said when you have to get up and go to work – without a pool to jump into.

Are you currently sitting in a cramped office that may not have air conditioning or any other mod cons? Maybe it’s time to consider your office space for the future.

Perhaps as a result, productivity in your office has been hugely impacted, or maybe your staff are literally melting from the heat at their desks? Office space can be notoriously hot and if your office isn’t equipped properly it can lead to high temperatures leaving staff hot, drained and lethargic which in turn will reduce that all important productivity.

With this in mind, The Approved Code of Practice and guidance suggests the minimum temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius or at least 13 degrees Celsius if the work involves rigorous physical effort. However, these temperatures are not an absolute legal requirement, nonetheless employers have a duty to determine what reasonable comfort will be in their particular workplace circumstances.

Thus, The FMJ reported in 2014 that around one third of workers lose productivity due to uncomfortable office temperatures. 29% of workers estimated that they don’t work for between 10 – 30 minutes a day due to it being too hot or too cold. Around 6% of office workers felt more than 30 minutes per day was wasted where they could not work efficiently because the office temperature was not conducive to working efficiently. When these results are fully analysed it suggests that around 2% of office hours are wasted each year due to problem office temperatures.

If your company is feeling the pinch of restricted productivity, an Office refurbishment is a great idea to reassess your working environment and identify key issues that lead to a better future for all concerned.

It also eradicates the need to move premises, but having said that, sometimes moving your business is just not possible. If you’re existing business premises are tired, worn, run-down and not motivating to employees. The ABS Group can assist you with your office refurbishment and will help you to assess your building for improvements.

By inviting us to review your existing offices, we will carry out a workplace and property appraisal and develop office planning schemes that will revive the office environment and make better use of the current structure to introduce new, improved facilities and expand your workforce.

With extensive experience in occupied refurbishment projects, as office refurbishment contractors, we know that your staff cannot be disrupted, so our contracts managers will work alongside you to develop a suitable project programme. Our duty to health and safety also ensures we can work in and around your workforce if necessary.

Call The ABS Group on 01245 360060 to discuss your project today!

Are You Making The Most of Your Shop Floor Space?

Do you ever have the predicament of balancing the display of many products as possible while trying to create an orderly, well-organised shop that still gives the impression of space? Well, you’re not alone.

Here at The abs Group we’re able to  provide an interior design and space planning service combining the creativity, flare & vision you would expect from an interior design consultancy with an extensive technical & architectural knowledge base – we have achieved the desired result for many of our clients!

One of the first considerations you should take into account when it comes to the layout of your shop is the floor dimensions, as well as the size of your shelving, customer engagement and strategic product placement all coming into effect later on.

As the old age saying goes; fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Thus, taking the time to plan will give you the opportunity to explore different shop layouts and find the right balance between making the most of your floor space and enhancing your customer’s overall experience when they visit you in store.

When the customer does visit your premises, you want them to be attracted to identify items quickly that catch their eyes. In addition. using versatile retail shelving and fittings will give you more freedom to change your displays and freshen up the shop layout every so often. This approach essentially helps you make the most of your available floor and wall space, while saving valuable customer time.

Other important factors to consider within your shop are the following:

  • Use lighting to illuminate space – lighting systems add variety and bring forgotten parts of your store to back to life.
  • Keep everything neat and tidy but avoid crowding products too closely together as it can make the space look cramped.
  • Painting one wall a bright, bold colour not only adds visual appeal to your store, but it can also make it appear larger – this effectively acts like a feature wall you would find in a modern home.
  • One of the oldest shopfitting tricks in the book is to place mirrors opposite windows and by other sources of natural light. This will reflect light around the shop and help to create the illusion of space.
  • Displaying items on various levels maximises space and can enhance the visual appeal of your store.

It can often be difficult to implement the above information in a short space of time for many busy business owners, not only are The abs Group able to make the most of your shop floor space we are the experts when it comes to design strategy. The detail and quality of information we take at this initial stage forms the foundations of your project which are vital to the end result.

As part of taking your brief, we will carry out a workplace audit and map your existing circumstances. This often helps determine the size and type of what you require. Sometimes this process highlights new alternatives, for example re-engineering your space and adopting new working practices within your existing property rather than moving.

To learn more information about our services, please call The ABS Group on 01245 360060 to discuss your project today!