Trinity Square Shopping Centre in Work and Commitment Over the Course of Financial Year Starting in January

Issue 8 Winter 2019

Season’s greetings To our Aston staff I would like to take this to be able to report that the business is in such as Jet 2, Gold Medal Travel and the opportunity to thank you all for your hard good shape and we are well set for our new extensive Trinity Square Shopping Centre in work and commitment over the course of financial year starting in January. Gateshead. last year. It is dedication such as this that Part of our new year’s strategy is that the So, a great end to the year and an exciting underpins the Aston culture of delivering Industrial and Maintenance Divisions will period ahead in 2020 within which I’m outstanding customer service, ‘a service be separated from Aston Services Group, confident the business will continue to make that allows our business to stand out enabling Aston Services Group to focus great progress with its expansion plans from the rest’, a comment so many of our purely on driving its two core services whilst continuing to spread its culture of customers have fed back to me which is of security and cleaning thus leveraging service excellence. true testament to your professionalism and the business’s extensive expertise. The It only remains for me to wish you all a dedication. Industrial and Maintenance Divisions will happy new year. Secondly, to our valued customers, I would continue to run out of Aston Services Group like to thank you for the trust you place in us premises and be used by Aston Services Nick Atkinson, MD to manage your valuable sites and assets Group as and when required by customers. through the dedication of our security and You will read in the following pages about cleaning teams. the great new contract wins which we As we are entering 2020, I am delighted have recently secured with major brands

Trinity Square We are delighted to announce the award Commercial Director, commented, “This is a great endorsement of our capabilities. of security provision at Trinity Square in latest contract award is a great addition to Relationship and communication are the key Gateshead, further developing our relationship our existing portfolio. Savills’ expectations factors and we are dedicated to the smooth with Savills, the leading international property and approach to property management operational running and a strong level of services group. services are market leading and for Aston to regional management support to the team and Trinity Square is a mixed use community built be entrusted with this prestigious scheme the client on site.’’ centre at the heart of Gateshead with retail anchored by the the biggest Tesco Extra in the north of England, leisure including a 9 screen Vue Cinema, a commercial office block property and a 1000 unit student living complex rising above the centre, all in the heart of Gateshead town centre. Work on Trinity Square began in 2010 with the demolition of the famous iconic “Get Carter” car park from the 1967 Michael Caine film of the same name. Phase one opened in May 2013 and was completed in July 2015. The centre is owned by Tesco PLC and is managed by Savills and is busy throughout the day and has a vibrant night economy. Alistair Clayton, Aston Services Group 2 Aston WORLD Gold Medal Travel We are delighted to announce that Aston Services Group has been awarded the contract to clean the iconic flagship headquarters of Gold Medal Travel Group. Part of the dnata, the world’s leading Debbie Bird, Property Services & CSR really has created a fantastic place air services providers of ground Manager at Gold Medal, said, “Aston to work and one which befits the handling, cargo services, travel and Services Group were professional international nature of Gold Medal. in-flight catering, Gold Medal offer from the word go. Our standards are They have kept to using British a range of travel services to long set incredibly high and Aston have furniture and materials where haul destinations including the USA, delivered to our expectations. Even possible but also decided to keep Canada, Caribbean, Dubai & Arabia, at a recent Leadership Strategy the original reception flooring. Our Indian Ocean, Africa, the Far East and meeting, when we required extra involvement in maintaining this Australasia. support, they (especially Cath workspace environment is a source Mangan, Regional Operations of great pride to both our cleaning The headquarters, previously Manager) understood our needs operatives and management.” housing Leyland Daf and more and were on hand and contactable recently Enterprise PLC, has Photographs show Lancaster House, throughout. Overall, Aston are a undergone an extensive and HQ of Gold Medal Travel Group / the really pleasant, professional and impressive refurbishment, creating reception area / branded offices / proactive company to deal with.” a light, welcoming and ultra-modern Alistair Clayton with Debbie Bird. eco-friendly working environment for Alistair Clayton, Aston Services the 550 employees. Group Sales and Marketing Director commented, “The refurbishment Issue 8 | Winter 2019 3

After as highly competitive tendering Jet2.com is one of the UK’s leading and detailed as you would expect process Aston Services Group have leisure airlines. It operates over 375 from one of the UK’s leading been awarded a multi-site contract scheduled routes to over 70 high travel brands and we are naturally by Jet2.com to provide cleaning and volume holiday destinations from 9 delighted that our systems, associated services to a number UK airports. With an aviation history processes and people stood up to of their locations throughout the of more than 30 years, the airline has their scrutiny and that our ethos country and this award further flown over 55 million passengers and of quality, service and people focus reinforces Aston Services Group won numerous awards. shone through. presence in the travel sector The cleaning works will be delivered Jet2 have also supported the Jet2holidays is the UK’s second both landside and airside and we principle of the Living Wage which largest ATOL licensed holiday are hugely delighted to have been has reinforced the value they and operator. It offers customers entrusted with this award given Aston Services Group place on the package holidays including 2-5 star the high profile stature of Jet2 provision of high quality cleaning accommodation, return flights, throughout the UK. services by well -motivated and well transfers and a market-leading rewarded cleaning operatives. Alistair Clayton, Sales & Marketing baggage allowance. Jet2holidays Director, commented We are looking forward to developing directly contracts over 4,000 hotels our with Jet2 over the coming years’’ in over 70 destinations. ‘’The tender exercise was rigourous

Aston Services Group shortlisted for FM awards

We are delighted to announce that Aston Security has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Tomorrow’s Facilities Management Awards 2020. Well done to everyone involved! 4 Aston WORLD

Security Q&A with James Wheeler

Aston Services Group is the UK’s fastest growing independent facilities services provider and became established as a result of the merger between Cleanall Services Limited and Care Facility Management nearly three years ago. They specialise in the provision cleaning provisions were seen as with and so we tend to partner with of security and cleaning services poor relations to the rest of the companies that share our “passion nationally and work for a variety of workforce, but this view has been and vision” for developing and market sectors including shopping changed in recent years, by the rewarding our teams who provide centres and retail parks, student increased regulation and innovation such a vital service to each and accommodation, leisure, commercial brought to the industry, that is now every one of the sites we manage. & property. attracting a higher skilled calibre of person into these dynamic and Quality is of the utmost importance Customers include property challenging working environments. to us and Aston Services Group management groups such as regulations are maintained to the Knight Frank, Ashdown Phillips, Q: You mention people – how do highest industry standards and to CBRE, Munroe K, Savills and Realm, you retain the best employees? this end we have been awarded together with other blue chip names the following facility accreditations: Because we are a medium sized such as Liverpool Airport, Liverpool SIA, ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, company, we still strive to know ONE, Manchester 235 Casino & BS7499 and BS7858. Spinningfields in Manchester – to every one of our team members by name but a few. their first name. Maintaining close Accreditation is vitally important working relationships allows us to in driving standards and as a James Wheeler, Integration and understand and develop them into benchmark for achieving the highest Business Development Director, a motivated and committed team, levels of quality and service. comments here on the changes which results in regular examples of in the Security Industry and what them going above and beyond the Q: Technology is moving at a rapid possibly lies ahead… call of duty. As a company we work pace – is it important to keep up? very closely with our customers I like the changes in technology Q: James, you have been in the and thus we see ourselves as an industry for 27 years, how do over the past few years, but Aston extension of their site management also focus on the team members you think it has changed for team, instead of being referred to as better/worse? as individuals, who can offer the the “contractor”. personal touch and communicate Since starting my career in the FM The ability to self-deliver the effectively in a wide range of world 27 years ago, we have seen “world host” training courses situations. a dramatic change both in terms throughout our business has made of perception in the market place Technology should not replace a dramatic effect in terms of the and the ever increasing use of the human side of the services professionalism displayed by our technology to support the security we provide but simply be able teams interacting with the public and cleaning operations we deliver to enhance the services we are and the value-added services we on a daily basis. When I started my providing in terms of capturing can now offer in supporting our career, I was given a pager to call the information and real time reporting. customers’ requirements. office if anything happened at my Put simply, I prefer to have a blend sites. Now we have smart phones / Alongside this, we have been a of technology and highly skilled team lap tops / biometric readers and real Recognised Living Wage Service members. time monitoring capabilities, to assist provider for over 4 years and us in managing day to day events. maximise our retention of future talent via our continued use of the The industry has become far more Apprenticeship Levy, maximising professional in its approach to training & development. delivering soft services, to a wide range of market sectors. These Q: Why is accreditation so changes have allowed companies important in the Security to develop their own approach and industry? identity when specialising in certain market sectors. Being an approved SIA ACS member has become a “must Security and cleaning roles can now have” accreditation in the industry, be a very structured and rewarding especially as our business grows and career path, given the right levels of develops across the UK. support and training opportunities. We are very selective in the Historically the security and customers we would like to work Issue 8 | Winter 2019 5

There is no doubt that the industry Staff checker for real time managing Offering a wide range of personable is moving rapidly and as a group, to of all hours worked on each site services to make customers’ lives keep ahead, we must invest in new easier – arranging, recommending monitoring technology and robust Q: Lastly, James – where do you see and booking, the Concierge is management IT systems such as: the industry going from here? definitely a growing trend. Real time monitoring technology – The industry is changing every However, we still maintain that (PDA’s) year and I see more and more strong and open relationships that opportunities for the FM industry to are key “DNA” elements in our Lone working monitoring grow and develop in supporting our business, together with our highly customers’ needs. 24hr helpdesk motivated and skilled management For instance, we have recently seen team, who share our passion Customer portal for sharing site an increased demand for Concierge for providing a unique service information services which are becoming critical proposition. iAuditor reporting for a wide range to good customer relations. of activities Industrial News

MMU – ARTS & HUMANITIES BUILDING Aston ‘s Industrial division have been awarded the Builders Clean project of the new Arts & Humanities Building at Manchester Metropolitan University – a creative hub with an 180 seat theatre, auditorium, poetry library, radio and television studios and language centre. The value of the cleaning project is circa £82,000 and will include a Builders and Sparkle Clean plus a full clean to all the External façade and hard landscaping. MORGAN SINDALL

CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER CARE PROJECT Another huge project win for Aston’s Industrial cleaning division – the Clatterbridge Cancer Care Centre in Liverpool. This project is a £102m build for Laing O’Rourke Construction as part of the new Hospital’s regeneration programme and we are delighted to have been chosen as their preferred supplier for the final cleaning works. The package includes more than 8000 hrs and will require a crane to deliver the specialist access equipment to clean the internal atrium / high level areas. Works to be completed by end of February 2020. LAING O’ROURKE

ALBION MILL, BLACKBURN Builders Clean package won for the new 109 bed Extra Care facility for Bardsley Construction. Aston’s Industrial Division are delighted to have been chosen as preferred cleaning supplier for this residential scheme Valued at £45,000. BARDSLEY CONSTRUCTION The scheme will be ready to Handover in Spring 2020.

RUTHERFORD CANCER CENTRE Cleaning works have commenced on the Rutherford Cancer Centre, Paddington Village, Liverpool for Interserve Construction. The two storey cancer treatment facility will include circa 600 hrs cleaning prior to handover early 2020. The package will include a full Builders and Sparkle clean internally along with Bricks, Cladding & Windows externally. Value - £15,555 INTERSERVE CONSTRUCTION 6 Aston WORLD The Real Living Wage

As Recognised Service Providers, part of the skyline. The adoption of of the Living Wage, providing proudly working together with the the Living Wage – which will attract dedicated staff with a enhanced Living Wage Foundation, Aston and retain quality and committed income for their hard work. Services Group announce two more operatives – is a real testament The real Living Wage remains the customers who have taken up the to the forward thinking of All Plus only rate independently calculated Living Wage. No.1 Spinningfields Management and the property based on what people need to and Dalton Park have committed owners Schroder Real Estate. get by. With more than one in five to pay employees the real Living Dalton Park, in County Durham, workers earning less than the real Wage and we would like to thank is the biggest outlet shopping Living Wage, there are still millions both for their commitment to this and leisure centre in the North of families struggling to keep their cause. East. With over 70 shops and heads above water. No.1 Spinningfields is the largest restaurants, a cinema complex, As we look back to the recent office building in Manchester and 1,700 car parking spaces, the Living Wage Week (11-17 November) the tallest built in the city for 50 centre has over 2.6 million visitors we would hope that other like- years. With over 260,000 square a year. Again, this modern and minded employers follow suit. feet of office accommodation – the vibrant environment is now ‘statement’ building is now an iconic enhanced further by the adoption Issue 8 | Winter 2019 7 People in the News Purple Tuesday Our security guards supported Purple Tuesday by wearing the disability organisation’s branding (and colour!). Organised on Tuesday 12th November, the special uniforms were worn to indicate our support for Purple and their promotion of shopping access for disabled shoppers. Congratulations Customer Service Excellence to Richard by Gary Hirst Richard Thompson, Cleaning Supervisor, Princes Quay has been voted the ‘Team’s, Team Member’ in the member of the month award. Picture shows Richard with his award and voucher. Well done Rich all your hard work is noticed!

Re-use is even better than recycle!

Customer Service Officer at “As a Savills’ shopping centre we Woolshops, Halifax, Gary Hirst has place a strong emphasis on good been recognised for his continued customer care. We want to ensure hard work and diligence. On all visitors to the Woolshops several occasions he has gone Shopping Centre are provided above and beyond the call of with a safe and welcoming duty, staying with a customer environment and are treated in a Our Customer Service Team, who had got caught in a lift and courteous and polite manner. Key at the Woolshops SC, were keeping her calm until emergency to this vision are our Customer asked by Costa Coffee to services arrived to free her; Service Officers; often the first dispose of three high-chairs returning to site after hours to and only contact visitors have they no longer required. Using open the car park for a family with the centre. Their attitude a bit of lateral thinking they who had attended a funeral. On and aptitude is paramount to the realised that the newly opened both these occasions he showed centre achieving this aim and Gary independent coffee shop in kindness and empathy towards has shown just how important it is the centre might be able to the customers. to not only go the extra yard but make use of the chairs; so after also treat members of the public checking with Costa the chairs Gary is very humble and is a with respect and kindness. Thank were offered to Coffee @ No.1 valuable member of the team. You Gary you are a deserving who were delighted. Jason Gregg, Woolshops recipient of this award.” Two happy tenants and zero Shopping Centre Manager Photograph shows Gary receiving landfill!!!! comments: his award from Jason. 8 Aston WORLD People in the News Trinity Woolshops commended by West Yorkshire Police:

“Just a note of our appreciation identification of suspects. As and that of the Calderdale part of the operation with your Police Town Centre team. In team there were no reports of your ongoing support of retail retail theft on any of the days crime and our strategic plan. that the days of action were Your team is always willing to run. support officers on the ground Paul Dent, Site Manager at and go that extra mile. Trinity Square Shopping Centre Further our thanks to Chris

in Gateshead. The award was for sorting out the TV in the for going above and beyond and On a recent day of action one of meeting room this will greatly providing additional duties and your team joined plain clothes assist with the FLOB and Shop getting everything up and running in officers on patrol, he acted Watch in the future.” short order! Thanks Paul! with total professionalism and WYP was able to quickly assist with Princes Quay, Hull Well done Maxine Hannan: Employee of “I would like to thank the security the Month, Middleton Shopping Centre team at Princes Quay who helped An elderly disabled customer assisted the lady to gather her my mum on Saturday when she attended the Shopping Centre belongings and put them into lost her bag and her purse. She is recently and was carrying quite her bag. She then helped her nearly 89 and the team were so a few bags - she was clearly down the escalator and walked helpful cancelling her debit cards and struggling. her to the Bus Station doors. buying her and her friend a coffee and helping her when she was so Maxine had noticed that the The lady later returned to upset. They rang her as soon as she lady had dropped a few items the centre. She handed a box got home to say her bag had been from of her bag but nobody of chocolates to Maxine and handed in at Topshop by someone stopped to assist the lady thanked her for her kindness. and everything was there her cash, therefore, Maxine ran over and cards and bus pass. Thank you whoever that honest person was and thanks again to all in security including Andy today you have a great team and my Mum is over the moon.”

We take great pride in these kind words which illustrate our dedication to the highest levels of customer service. Well done team security!

Aston Services Group Aston House, Aston Way, Leyland, PR26 7UX Tel: 01772 425 070 www.astonservicesgroup.co.uk