Update 20th July 2020

As of 24th July, the government has mandated that people entering shops must wear a face covering or risk a fine of £100.  There is no distinction in the current guidance about shops with higher visitor numbers and those such as ours which offer appointment only visits. We are therefore required to ask that all visitors, unless they have an exemption certificate, wear a face covering whilst inside our premises. Those who may be able to obtain an exemption certificate include the following:

• People who have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means that they cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
• People who, if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering, would cause them severe distress
• People who are providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
• People who need to eat, drink, or take medication may remove their face covering to do so

We would therefore ask that unless you have an exemption certificate that you remember to bring a face covering with you to any appointments in the showroom

Update 26th May 2020

Further to the government’s announcement that non-essential retail stores will be able to open from 15th June, we will be opening our showroom on an appointment only basis from 1st June until that date.  Our Coronavirus safety measures planning for the showroom and when we’re working in clients’ homes mean we are deemed ‘COVID-19 secure’ as defined by the government:

1. We have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and shared the results with the people who work here
2. We have cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures in line with guidance
3. We have taken all reasonable steps to help people work from home
4. We have taken all reasonable steps to maintain a 2m distance in the workplace
5. Where people cannot be 2m apart, we have done everything practical to manage transmission risk

Update 31st March 2020

Whilst our showroom is temporarily closed due to Coronavirus, we’re happy to offer appointments via video conferencing using either WhatsApp, Zoom or Skype.  To book, please go to our Contact Us page

Update 23rd March 2020

Due to the continuing spread of Coronavirus we have decided that for the health of our employees, clients, contractors and all visitors, to close the showroom until we are advised it is safe to reopen.  Our employees, who are working from home, are available for any inquiries about existing or new projects and we may continue to be reached on our main telephone number or via the contact us page, details of which may be found at the top of this page

13th March 2020

Coronavirus planning and what we’ve done so far

As all businesses are having to do we are constantly reviewing and assessing  our plans for dealing with the potential impact of a Coronavirus outbreak.  We therefore wanted to update and reassure existing and potential clients on our own plans, the actions we’ve already undertaken and what we’re doing.– and would ask of you – to prepare for its further escalation.

As a company committed to the health of its employees, contractors and clients, we’ve had a plan in place for the past month. As such we are following all best practice advice from the Government, the HSE and Public Health England.  This includes completing a risk assessment which formed the basis of our plans to support our employees and contractors should any be confirmed as having been infected, affected or deemed high risk.

Our ongoing actions include:

• Regular briefing sessions of our plans,
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of the showroom, warehouse and offices,
• Enforcement of hand washing rules and the provision of sanitiser for all employees and visitors,
• A plan should anybody fall ill on any of our premises.

The additional measures we’ve implemented

With the virus now classified as a pandemic we are moving to the next stage of our Coronavirus planning:

• Managing the showroom and offices with skeleton staff and ask our employees to alternate working from home
• Minimising deliveries to the showroom to avoid contact with delivery drivers
• Introducing isolation protocols for employees with a guarantee of full payment of salary
• Asking our sub-contractors to advise us at the earliest possibility should they become infected/affected
• Asking for clients’ help in the event of their – or anyone close to them – becoming infected or high risk.  

We will also ask clients to confirm the property hasn’t had a confirmed case in the past 14 days. Without these confirmations we will unfortunately not be able to attend site. On each day we attend site for an appointment we will again ask for confirmation that the site is clear. If these reassurances can’t be provided we will be unable to allow our teams to enter

What we’ll do in the event of needing to suspend an installation

Should any party involved become infected or affected, this is likely to delay the plans for a client’s installation. And, in the event of a delay, we will do our utmost to ensure no clients are left without functioning necessities.  This means ensuring running water and a means by which to cook.

We hope you appreciate that these measures have been implemented with the interests of the health and safety of our clients, employees and contractors as an absolute number one priority. The situation is rapidly evolving and we will be update on any further developments as Government advice changes

 

The directors, staff and contractors of Nicholas Hythe Kitchen Design Studio thank you for your support and understanding