Musgrave Group
Location: Harefield
Size: 41,500 sq ft
Contract value: £850,000
Project overview
Area Sq completed the fit-out of Musgrave Group's 41,500 sq ft new headquarters at Widewater Place in Harefield's business park, in November 2004.
Area Sq, who was initially invited to tender with three other contractors, was appointed for the design and fit-out of the Musgrave Group's new UK headquarters in July.
The relocation to a modern office facility coincided with the acquisition of Londis by Budgens' parent company, The Musgrave Group, Ireland's largest wholesaler. As part of this expansion, the Group decided to consolidate their two UK offices into one to facilitate internal communication and day-to-day operations.
The brief to Area Sq. was to design a modern office facility that would unite Londis and Budgens' operations as one and support the company image as 'quality convenience local grocers'. The new offices, renamed 'Musgrave House' now accommodate the combined Budgens and Londis operations, which number approximately 250 staff in total. The operation will now be known as Musgrave Budgens-Londis(MBL).
Many of the staff had worked at their respective locations for many years and the move represented a very major change so bringing together the two businesses required careful planning. With this in mind, Area Sq. worked alongside the internal Management team to ensure efficient internal communication and staff involvement throughout the relocation process.
Clive Lucking, MD of Area Sq. says "Our core business is in providing interior solutions that enhance our client's operations in the long-term by producing improved working environments whilst reducing possible disruptions to an absolute minimum"
Clive adds: "With the advantage of many years' experience and hundreds of successful fit-out projects we are well aware of the possible problems and how best to avoid them. Meticulous planning and project management are the keys to producing a successful scheme."
Result
The fast track project was completed at the end of November, totalling 11 weeks of refurbishment work on site.
The new offices comprise cutting edge facilities, including a more open plan working environment, meeting spaces, a staff restaurant and a test kitchen facility so that ready meals and other food concepts can be prepared and controlled in house.
Musgrave recognised that relocating can be difficult for employees and with the help of Area Sq., focussed on the internal communication to keep their staff informed at every stage of the project. The result created a feeling of inclusion for all employees and a smooth transition into their new headquarters.
"The move has been hugely successful and it is quite remarkable how quickly everyone has settled in to their new surroundings. I think most people expected a few days of disruption and confusion when we moved in but the planning and preparation were superb and by the end of the first day it was largely business as usual. The new restaurant has been very well received and the tea and coffee stations around the building have encouraged integration between the teams." says Sian Edwards, Property Director at Musgrave Budgens-Londis.
About Musgrave
Musgrave is Ireland's largest wholesaler and operates over 500 stores on the island of Ireland under the SuperValu and Centra fascias. MBL currently operates 230 Budgens stores and over 2150 under the Londis fascia. All Budgens stores will be franchised over the next few years.
Musgrave is a long-term champion of local retailing and has created a highly successful niche in the market-place developing supermarkets and convenience stores operated by independent retailers which offer a viable alternative to the superstore.
