scope of work

over a two-year period, UDC provided professional services across multiple Fenwick department stores and warehouse facilities throughout the UK. the work included a range of building and safety assessments, including fire risk assessments, DDA audits, dust risk assessments and DSEAR assessments. following each assessment, UDC produced reports identifying areas requiring attention and setting out recommendations for remedial actions and improvements.

the scope of services developed over the course of the relationship, with UDC undertaking further assessments across the Fenwick portfolio as additional requirements were identified. the assessments covered both customer-facing retail spaces and the wider buildings behind the scenes, including office accommodation and back-of-house areas. many of the properties were complex buildings, combining historic and heritage features with the requirements of a modern department store and, in some cases, multiple uses within the same building.

challenges faced

undertaking assessments within high-end, live retail environments required careful planning and co-ordination to ensure the work was carried out with minimal disruption to customers and day-to-day store operations. the buildings themselves also presented an additional level of complexity. many of the stores are located within older and heritage properties that have been adapted and modernised over time to meet the needs of a contemporary retail environment. this required consideration of the original building features alongside current safety, accessibility and operational requirements.

with assessments extending beyond the public areas into offices, service spaces and back-of-house accommodation, UDC worked around the operational requirements of each location to complete thorough assessments across the full extent of the relevant buildings.

outcome

UDC provided Fenwick with clear reports and recommendations to support the ongoing management of its property portfolio.

a significant proportion of the recommendations related to management processes, record keeping and the way in which buildings and safety requirements were monitored, rather than requiring substantial capital investment. this enabled Fenwick to focus on practical improvements to its procedures and building management, alongside any physical remedial works identified.

the programme of assessments supported a clearer understanding of requirements across the portfolio and provided Fenwick with a structured basis for prioritising and addressing recommended actions across its stores and warehouse facilities.