Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th April 2024 Issue no. 1111

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Julius Rutherfoord adds Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to bumper crop of contracts for 2013

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - London's only UNESCO World Heritage Site - has selected Julius Rutherfoord as the specialist cleaning contractor best suited to provide the standard of care required for this high profile and sensitive environment.

Kew is one of London's most popular visitor attractions, recognised as one of the most eminent centres for research and conservation in plant biodiversity in the world.

A total of 30 operatives will clean the offices, laboratories and public areas 15 hours a day across the large and varied 300 acre site. This requires experience in a number of cleaning specialisms to manage the scientific research sites, galleries, and 40 listed iconic buildings, including stunning glasshouses, which are enjoyed by over one million visitors annually, 363 days a year.

Kew helps to discover and define the world's plant and fungal diversity and safeguard their life and sustainable use, whilst inspiring an appreciation of plants and the environment.

Part of Julius Rutherfoord's successful bid involved the deployment of bicycles with trailers for fast, efficient and environmentally friendly movement of cleaners across the large site, and an electric buggy for the distribution of supplies. All equipment, including 30 green Henry tub vacuums, will be individually asset marked to ensure no cross contamination within the site.

A further innovation is the introduction of customer satisfaction monitors. This allows visitors to provide feedback on the quality of the facilities, and will initially be trialled at the busiest toilets in the White Peaks restaurant.

Kew's rich horticultural and scientific history is interwoven with royal heritage. It houses the world's largest and most diverse botanical collections, including precious reference works. Library, art and archives contain more than half a million items, including books, botanical illustrations, photographs, letters and manuscripts, periodicals, biographies and maps. Clean air and the right humidity are essential, along with the minimisation of dust, to protect these valuable collections.

This year Kew is undertaking a vital five year restoration project which will restore the Temperate House - the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world - and its surrounding landscape. The adjoining Evolution House is also being converted into a world class public engagement centre.
Weddings and private and corporate events take place in these stunning surroundings, and it is vital the facilities are kept in pristine condition, to ensure that guests have an unforgettable experience.

Julius Rutherfoord was able to demonstrate previous experience in successfully managing cleaning contracts for facilities with historic importance, including a number of listed buildings at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.

James Bennett, Operations Director for Julius Rutherfoord, says: "We pride ourselves on providing a quality service using innovative cleaning methods, and our focus on understanding the importance and uniqueness of Kew's work helped us to win this very prestigious contract."

T: 020 7819 6700
E: [email protected]
W: www.julius-r.co.uk

21st November 2013