Latest Turkey Mill community update
28th May 2020
Over the last few weeks, I have been talking to many businesses on the Estate and I wanted to take this opportunity to update you all as to what Turkey Mill is doing to facilitate plans for a return to work.
We are in an enviable position to many – having the advantage of a location outside of London, with plenty of outdoor space and ample car parking, which does give us more flexibility for returning to work in a safer way.
June is looking to be a month of change with the gradual reopening of schools and shops. My sense is that a number of businesses here at Turkey Mill are planning to reopen offices over the next fortnight with reduced staffing, limited by social distancing guidance within the workspace. We are of course supportive of this and I attach here the most relevant current Government working guidance dated 11th May. While much of this is targeted at large offices I feel it is a balanced guide. Although there is no precedent, I suspect fuller occupancy will be delayed until frequent testing is widely available combined with a corresponding mobile phone tracking app.
Practical information
We have installed hand sanitizer dispensers in the entrance to all shared space and our cleaners, Glow, will be carrying out weekly deep cleaning of all shared kitchens & bathrooms.
MD Diagnostics at 15 Hollingworth Court are a medical equipment provider & have asked me to let you know that they have a good supply of face masks on site. If you would like to buy some please see https://www.mdd.org.uk/product/triple-layer-surgical-face-mask-50-per-box/ – the Estate Office has already bought a box.
Other Turkey Mill news and updates
I hope you all admire the new look roundabout, which was replanted last week, as much as I do! It is early days, but with the benefit of warm weather and irrigation it should be an impressive welcome to those arriving on site.
I have also never known the Walled Garden looking so good, which combined with the current weather, making it ideal for outdoor meetings. Mote Park is also looking wonderful.
Talking of Mote Park, Maidstone Council has contractors starting on site in early June to strengthen the earth bund (dam) which separates the Mote Park and Turkey Mill lakes. They have already cut down trees to open up the site & assure me that we will hardly notice the works, which I understand will take approximately 6 months to complete.
Other brief updates:
- We have been in close contact with Securitas and are pleased to report that we have had no problems with onsite security.
- I have spoken to our Café operator who is keen to get back on site who may initially reopen in July on the basis of pre-orders and a delivery round, across the Estate.
- Last weekend Turkey Mill’s main water meter was replaced as well as pipework upgraded which should make a noticeable improvement to the water pressure around the Estate.
- One final point is that I would be happy to help any tenant who claims Small Business Rates Relief & who has not either applied for the £10,000 grant available or who is in dispute about it.
The team are very much looking forward to the safe phasing out of current Covid-19 restrictions and to seeing many more familiar faces back on the Estate.
I continue to be on site on Mondays Wednesdays & Fridays and am always available on my mobile phone or by email.
Dougie Lawson
Director – Turkey Mill Investments Ltd