When Medway Council embarked on the refurbishment of its headquarters at Gun Wharf, Chatham, a carefully planned relocation programme was required to clear three operational office floors and enable construction works to proceed.
Crown Workspace was appointed to manage the temporary relocation of furniture from Levels 3, 4 and 5, ensuring assets were safely dismantled, transported and stored while minimising disruption to the Council’s day-to-day operations.
THE CHALLENGE
The refurbishment programme required the complete clearance of three occupied office floors within a defined timeframe. A wide range of furniture, including workstations, desks, storage units, shelving, seating, lockers and collaborative furniture, needed to be removed and relocated to temporary accommodation within close proximity to the Gun Wharf site. With Council services continuing to operate throughout the refurbishment works, safety, building protection and programme certainty were critical. The project also needed to be delivered in phases, with Levels 4 and 5 completed during April and Level 3 completed during May to align with the wider refurbishment schedule.
OUR SOLUTION
Crown Workspace developed a phased relocation strategy that combined detailed planning, specialist furniture installation expertise and dedicated project management. Before the move commenced, our team reviewed furniture inventories and building layouts to develop a delivery plan that maximised efficiency while maintaining a safe working environment. Temporary furniture storage locations were coordinated within a 1.5-mile radius of the headquarters building, reducing transportation times and supporting the overall project programme.
To protect both the Council’s assets and the buildings involved, we implemented comprehensive protection measures including hardboard, Correx and specialist moving equipment. Experienced furniture fitters were deployed to dismantle workstation systems before transportation, ensuring furniture could be safely moved and stored ready for future reoccupation
RESULTS
The relocation programme was completed successfully, enabling Medway Council’s refurbishment works to proceed as planned. All furniture assets were safely dismantled, transported and stored, with no impact on the overall project schedule. The phased approach ensured business continuity was maintained while creating the space required for contractors to undertake the refurbishment works. Through proactive planning, experienced personnel and a collaborative approach, Crown Workspace delivered a solution that met the Council’s operational requirements and exceeded expectations on site.
“Just wanted to start by saying a big thank you to Kieran, Mark and the team for their efforts and assistance this week. They have been excellent and very helpful and accommodating.” – Mark Sears, Project Manager