06 January 2021
Dear Customers,
I am writing to confirm that our business can continue to trade at this time. As I am sure you will know we are now in a national lockdown due to the rapid transmissions rates of Corona virus. However, we are fortunate that we can continue to work in your gardens.
We currently have all our staff working and this is working well. However, as the situation develops, we may need to react and make changes. We are advertising for additional staff to help us through and beyond these tricky times, and we’ll keep you informed as we progress.
We have needed to keep our business Covid secure since March last year and it is likely we will need to continue with these procedures for the foreseeable, perhaps even for another 12 months.
To help protect our staff and our customers we are acting on Government advice whilst at work and I am encouraging this out of working hours too. We are of course reviewing and changing our business procedures as is necessary.
Please can we ask you to also help us.
We all appreciate it when drinks or food are offered to us by our kind customers, especially when the weather is extreme- whether it be cold, hot, blowing a gale or tipping it down! BUT during this period please know that we can not accept any hospitality, unless in an emergency. Please do not offer us any drinks, but please remember we do so appreciate the kindness and look forward to being able to enjoy this again when safe to do so.
Please do not think us rude if we do not interact with you as we would normally do. If you could please see to a two-metre social distancing to help protect our staff and yourselves. If this distance cannot be maintained, please wear a face covering. There will be times when we will need to meet and discuss the work and look over plans and designs with you. At these times, please join us in being extra diligent with distancing and face coverings. We ask that all meetings are held outside if feasible. We will not come into your property unless it is essential. If we do we will don face coverings and sanitise our hands. We will aim to keep to a 2 metre social distance. We may ask to use your toilet facilities, but only with your and our safety in mind.
To reassure you here is a reminder of some of the procedures that we have in place.
If any member of the team is showing symptoms of coronavirus, they will cease work and directly return home and follow government procedure for isolating, testing and tracing. If any member of the team is told to self-isolate and or take a test this is a legal requirement.
Whilst, working we have social distancing in mind. A two-metre social distance is being adhered to when feasible. If it is not, then a face covering is too be worn. We are regularly washing/sanitising our hands. We have allocated additional time each day and each week for daily and deep cleansing of our tools, vehicles, and workstations. Hand sanitisers, cleaning products and masks are readily available to us all. Currently we are working as teams of two as much as we can. We of course need to travel around with our work, and so whilst in confined spaces such as vehicles we will wear a face covering and ventilate the space.
To reduce the risk of transmission we will not be using postcards as we did prior to lockdown 1. It maybe that in the future we reinstate this service for those who want it. If you should need to contact us about the works achieved, please feel free to contact the office via email or a call.
The business has taken a negative hit financially due to the virus and no doubt this will continue to be difficult for us for some time. However, we are so appreciative that we can continue trading. We have manged to retain all jobs and indeed have taken on more staff. We continue to aim to create more jobs with renewed vigour especially when so many people are suffering work hardship. We would all like to thank you for your custom, for your understanding, encouragement, and support.
Whilst we continue to tackle cash flow, please could you continue to be conscious of invoice payments as we need to continue with the 7 days repayment terms.
The office is not open for customers to meet with us, but we hope to be able to return to an appointment only arrangement in the future. In the office environment we are staying Covid secure with lone working, good hygiene and face coverings when not. At times we need to work from home to help our children with the school of Mum and Dad, and we are facilitating this as best we can.
If you have concerns/queries/suggestions, please feel free to contact us. We feel this situation is best managed with everyone behind and supporting the protocols. We value your support and understanding.
Finally, wishing you all a happy New Year and in the hope that these difficult times will pass quickly.
Best Wishes from Craig Ratcliff and all the team at C.A.R. Gardens.
