Melhuish and Saunders, the Glastonbury building contractors, are back at Avalon Plastics in the town and remobilising to get this and other projects up and moving with skeleton crews to ensure that client projects move forward while still maintaining the health of its workforce.

The company is taking positive action in response to a letter from the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP.

The Government is encouraging the construction industry back to work, following their initial instruction to the nation to stay at home which Melhuish and Saunders, along with many other contractors in the area, chose to adhere to, closing their sites from Wednesday March 25.

Since the start of the lockdown period, however, there is a growing nationwide concern about the impact on the economy and investments, with so many businesses closed and in view of all the support, the Government has pledged to keep people afloat.

Following on from last year's Somerset Business Award Investing in Somerset organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, Melhuish and Saunders did not hesitate to live up to its reputation of making a significant contribution to the local economy.

Sensitive to the plight of others who are unable to work at this time and all those affected by movement restrictions, the company nevertheless feels that it is right to do what it can to keep current projects progressing which will benefit schools, a health centre, a leisure facility and a local manufacturing employer.

Melhuish and Saunders are also offering free services to schools in Somerset to help address immediate requirements for improving health and welfare facilities and to help with planned maintenance works while the buildings are empty.

They have extensive experience in the Education Sector and a growing reputation generally for exceeding client expectations.

Needless to say – health and safety is top of the agenda for all concerned and the Construction Leadership Council have issued Site Operating Procedures – Protecting Your Workforce (Rev April 14) as guidance for everyone working in construction in the midst of the current pandemic caused by the coronavirus.

The family-run business, based in Glastonbury, is following the strict guidelines given and consulting with its advisors, Building Safety Group, to ensure that all site operatives, subcontractors and suppliers, and anyone else on site will be protected as much as possible to prevent the spread of this aggressive virus.

Managing director, Darryl Mitchard, has kept his staff updated with company developments following the move from the head office to remote working from home and the closure of all construction sites.

He said: "We are all having to adapt for the foreseeable future, and no doubt for at least the next six and maybe 12 months, until this virus has gone.

"This will change the way we live, work, socialise and interact with people in the future - things will not go back to the way they were before this.

"The only way through this is to work together as a team, help each other and treat each other with respect, be patient and not ask anyone to do anything you wouldn't do yourself."

Staff have been invited to discuss any concerns and offered the furlough option if they are unable to carry out their normal duties but it is expected that most, if not all, will continue as much as possible to keep sites open now and will continue to tender for future projects planned to be built later this year.

Melhuish and Saunders would be delighted to hear from anyone requiring construction services in any of the following sectors: Commercial/Industrial; Education; Healthcare; Community and Leisure and Residential.

Contact business development manager, Sue Rushforth via email on [email protected]. Details of their project experience can be found on www.mandsltd.co.uk.