Summer season engagements for AQS

Student accommodation cleans: Tackling our biggest challenge yet

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:00:02 GMT

As the academic year drew to a close, A Quality Service (AQS) took on one of its most ambitious projects to date: preparing thousands of student accommodation rooms across the UK for the upcoming academic year. Over the summer of 2024, our expert team successfully deep-cleaned 5,715 rooms across nine cities—a monumental effort that required meticulous planning, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence.

From addressing unique site challenges to exceeding client expectations, here’s how we delivered one of our largest and most complex cleans.

Scope of work: A growing challenge

Building on the success of previous years, AQS expanded its student accommodation cleaning programme in 2024. Our mission was to deep-clean 5,715 rooms across nine cities—York, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Bristol, Bath, Plymouth, and Cardiff. This included work at 12 iQ Student Accommodation sites and one Vita Student site, with additional new sites in York, Leicester, and Leeds.

Beyond standard deep-cleaning services, we tackled unique requirements, such as a “bag and bin” service for 329 rooms. This involved clearing belongings and waste left behind by departing students. Each location presented its own challenges, including staggered move-out and move-in schedules, temporary summer rentals, and even refurbishment works.

Meeting challenges head-on

Student accommodation cleaning is a race against time. Our team faced tight turnaround periods at many sites, with just days to prepare rooms between move-outs and new arrivals. Delays caused by refurbishment works added complexity, but our team's adaptability and close coordination with contractors reassured our clients that we would stay on schedule.

Maja Abramek, Project Manager for Education at AQS, shared insights into the challenges:

“Every site was unique. In Leicester, we dealt with heavy limescale buildup, while in York, the site's sheer size posed logistical hurdles. It was about understanding each client’s needs and tailoring our approach to meet them.”

Despite these pressures, our team remained focused on delivering exceptional results. Our ability to adapt, maintain high standards, and meet deadlines didn’t go unnoticed. As John Gruszka, Operations Manager at iQ Student Accommodation in Plymouth, noted:

“It has been amazing working with you this summer. High, consistent standards throughout, clear communication, logistics, and delivery are excellent, and overall, your teams are great. Thanks for making one of the toughest parts of the summer turnaround seem seamless and smooth - it has helped massively.”

Planning, communication and teamwork: The keys to success

The scale of this project demanded detailed planning and proactive communication. To ease the workload during peak times, we cleaned some sites early in June. This early engagement allowed us to identify potential challenges, such as specific cleaning requirements or unexpected site conditions, and create contingency plans for every scenario. Our proactive planning gave our clients a sense of security and confidence in our ability to deliver.

“Each site required careful coordination,” explained Maja.

“Our team worked tirelessly to ensure every space was cleaned to the highest standard, ready for students’ return. It was all about knowing our clients, sites, and people and investing in those relationships.”

This proactive approach not only ensured seamless execution but also garnered praise from clients across all sites. Emma Pang at iQ Accommodation in Leicester commented:

“I just want to say a big thank you to Nathan and the team, especially this week—it has been amazing.”

Cleaning on this large scale wouldn't have been possible without a great team dedicated to these cleans. Maja adds:

“During the student accommodation deep clean, it’s very challenging. You will come across a wide range of cleaning challenges throughout. It’s not for the faint-hearted. Some of these rooms will need lots of cleaning, and each room differs from the next. Having a team that is amazing at what they do and love what they do plays a key role in the smooth running.”

Why choose AQS?

The 2024 summer deep clean reaffirmed our position as a trusted partner for student accommodation providers. Our attention to detail, ability to adapt to complex challenges, and commitment to clear communication consistently exceeded client expectations.

Reflecting on the success of the project, Maja shared:

“The key to success is knowing your people, clients, and sites. When you invest in good people and strong relationships, great results follow.”

For student accommodation providers seeking a reliable, highly skilled cleaning partner, we always deliver seamless, high-quality results.

Let us make your next summer turnaround just as successful. Get in touch with our team today by calling 01443 217000 or emailing info@aqualityservice.co.uk.

Meet the Team: Maja Abramek, Project Manager

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:22:59 GMT

At AQS, the team is the beating heart of everything we do. Maja Abramek’s journey to her current role as Project Manager for the Education Sector at AQS is an inspiring example of commitment to excellence and passion—qualities that perfectly embody what AQS is all about.

Having joined the company in July 2022, Maja has rapidly progressed, driven by her passion, hard work, adaptability, and focus on supporting her team while delivering outstanding results.

Here, we learn more about her journey to becoming a Project Manager, what motivates her, and what a typical day looks like.

Tell us a little bit about your background and journey to working in Facilities Management

I started as a housekeeper in hotels and care homes, later moving on to retail supervisory roles while pursuing a photography degree. Each role taught me something valuable and shaped who I am today.

I joined AQS in July 2022 after my mother, who was part of the events team. After being informed that AQS had some vacancies available, I thought this sounded like something I would be interested in, so I applied for the role. Although I didn’t secure the role I initially interviewed for, Robin Kinrade, Director at AQS, saw potential in me and offered me the role of Office Manager. I didn’t have much experience with office work, but I was eager to learn. By January 2023, I was promoted to Operations Support Manager, and in April 2024, I became Project Manager for the Education Sector. It’s been a fast-paced journey, but I thrive on challenges.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My role is incredibly dynamic and involves overseeing cleaning projects for schools and student accommodations, which requires detailed planning and problem-solving. During the summer, I manage deep cleans for student accommodations - a massive undertaking. For instance, last year, we cleaned over 5,700 locations across eight cities across the UK. While challenging, it’s deeply rewarding to see everything come together.

Each day starts with reviewing schedules to ensure all projects are on track. I spend time coordinating with site managers to address immediate issues and ensure any challenges are promptly resolved. Managing supplies is also a critical aspect of my day, as I must confirm that all necessary materials are ordered and delivered to the right locations and on time. This combination of strategic planning and hands-on problem-solving keeps my days both varied and engaging. Basically, my hands and eyes are on everything; this includes wages, HR, administration, accounting, orders, health and safety and many other tasks.

What challenges or hurdles must be overcome as a Project Manager for Education?

The scale and complexity of the projects can be demanding. For example, student accommodation deep cleans have specific requirements, and we often face tight deadlines. We sometimes need to adapt to challenges like hard water build-up or work around refurbishments. However, the biggest challenge is always time, which is why planning and contingency strategies are crucial.

Another hurdle is meeting the varying needs of each location. In a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school, you must adapt your cleaning schedules to accommodate the students’ and teachers’ requirements.

What do you believe is the key to successfully running education sector contracts?

Communication and teamwork are vital. I work closely with cleaners, site managers, and clients to ensure everything runs smoothly. During the summer student accommodation deep cleans, having support from colleagues like: Anna Psztyk (Associate Regional Director at AQS), Robin Kinrade (Regional Director at AQS), Kamila Szmyt (Supervisor at AQS), Viktoriia Griscenko (Area Manager at AQS) make all the difference. This role is not a one-person job; it’s about collaboration and flexibility.

Understanding my team’s needs and challenges is essential. Investing in good people pays off, as they often exceed expectations. Recognising team strengths and weaknesses allows me to plan effectively and adapt when unexpected situations arise.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love that my work is valued. Knowing what I do makes a difference for my team and our clients is incredibly fulfilling. Building relationships with colleagues and seeing our collective efforts lead to success is particularly rewarding. It’s all about supporting others and creating an environment where everyone can excel.

One of the most meaningful pieces of feedback came from a supervisor who told Robin and Anna how much they appreciated my support. They said, “Maja is brilliant. She’s going to be such a big help to the team this year.” Moments like that remind me why I do what I do.

Any aspirations for the future?

I want to continue building a strong team for student accommodation cleaning, which I see as my core responsibility. I’m always looking for ways to grow and improve personally and professionally. My goal is to consistently deliver exceptional results and foster a positive environment for everyone involved.

My journey has taught me the importance of hard work, adaptability, and supporting others. At AQS, I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible people who share these values. We’ve achieved so much together, and I’m excited to see what the future holds. Anything is possible with proper planning, clear communication, and team investment.

Please visit here if you’d like to know more about the team.

If you would like to learn more about how we can support you with cleaning schools or student accommodation, please get in touch by calling 01443 217000 or emailing info@aqualityservice.co.uk.

Delivering daily cleaning excellence at Principality Stadium

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:01:45 GMT

Our team, dedicated to cleaning for some of the world's most beloved and followed events, whether the Welsh rugby team or a Taylor Swift concert, plays a vital role in the success of these experiences. From cleaning up during and after the event to kitchen portering and lift operators, we are committed to delivering excellent service throughout, ensuring visitors' memorable experiences.

In September of this year, we began delivering a daily cleaning contract at the Principality Stadium, expanding on our existing event cleaning services. Here, we look at our new role and how we have improved the stadium's cleaning standards.

Strengthening a trusted partnership

For over 14 years, AQS (part of the Tudor Group) has been a trusted partner of the Principality Stadium, providing exceptional cleaning services at significant events and ensuring the venue looks its best for every visitor. We’ve cleaned after millions of people, playing an essential role in ensuring their visit is unforgettable. This new daily cleaning contract at the Principality Stadium is a testament to the trust we have built over the years, and we are committed to continuing to earn and maintain this trust through our reliable and high-quality services.

The task at hand

Embracing the entire cleaning contract management, AQS now oversees all the cleaning operations throughout the stadium. Under the leadership, this change promises a more efficient and comprehensive cleaning service, enhancing the overall stadium experience. Robin Kinrade, Director at AQS, highlights what the new daily responsibilities include:

“Under our new remit, the team are now responsible for the day-to-day cleaning across the stadium, which includes cleaning across all hospitality events, the shop, offices, their shops and retail.”

In addition to the new cleaning arrangement, eight existing staff under the previous management came across to work as part of the AQS team. A key part of the process was to integrate them into the team. Robin adds:

“Under the previous management, our large team worked alongside the eight-person team during events, adhering to their established methods. Since they joined our team, we’ve implemented a process to integrate them.”

Improving standards across the stadium

AQS takes pride in developing exceptional service by crafting a tailored cleaning schedule that meets each client's unique needs.

Tasked with running events, the Principality Stadium management team’s expertise is in running and managing the stadium, not cleaning, which requires a professional approach. Through our trained managers, who are accustomed to cleaning on this scale, and our professional training that focuses on cleaning techniques and safety measures, and an approach that emphasises attention to detail and efficiency, we’ve been able to plan each cleaning activity with precision. As a result, productivity has increased, and the result is significantly improved standards across the stadium.

Robin adds:

“This extra productivity has allowed the team more time to focus on improving the cleaning standards. We appreciate their hard work and dedication in achieving these improvements.”

Darren Crossman, Facilities Manager at the Principality Stadium, comments on the standard of work the AQS team have delivered:

“I walked around the stadium today on a pre-event inspection, looking at everything. Irrationally, I had my reservations about how it would go.”

“I can honestly say that Mark Williams (Stadium Manager) and I are extremely pleased with the standard, and it is higher than it was when the cleaning regime was under our staff. This is an excellent start to the contract, and I hope it sets the bar for the future.”

“A huge thank you and well done on I to you and the team. The stadium looks excellent, and we still have 2 days to go. This proves that outsourcing the contract to AQS was absolutely the right move.”

The vital role of the experienced AQS team

None of these improvements would have been possible without a strong team. Chris Williams, Operations Manager, has many years of experience working at the stadium, having begun her journey at AQS back in 2012 during the London Olympics. Chris oversees, plans, and manages the team, and her invaluable expertise alongside a great team, including Operations Support Manager Kasia Stepnik, has been crucial in creating a smooth transition to managing the new contract. Robin adds:

“A lot of the great work put in has been down to the experienced team delivering the cleans. Our amazing team is the beating heart of everything great we do at AQS. They understand the standards required and the process involved to deliver a high-quality cleaning service in a high traffic environment”

“If a new team were to come in and take on the contract, they wouldn’t have the benefit we have of understanding the stadium's unique requirements. Chris’ expertise has enabled us, alongside our meticulous processes, to hit the ground running and implement a plan quickly and efficiently.”

Building on the initial foundations

The initial few months have been about laying the foundations and building the right management structure. Heading into 2025, daily activities will now include waste and consumable management responsibility. Robin concludes:

“Thanks to the collective efforts of the entire team, from the beginning of next year, we'll be integrating and adding hygiene services along with other related aspects.”

“The brilliant work we’ve achieved and the ongoing work we deliver at the stadium and across other venues cements our place within the event arena in South Wales and the West of England.”

If you would like to know more about our stadium and event cleaning services, or would like to speak to us about your unique requirements, please get in touch on 01443 217000 or email info@aqualityservice.co.uk .

Creating memorable experiences at events this summer

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 16:11:53 GMT

Summer is the perfect opportunity to soak up the sun (when it comes out) and enjoy live concerts and sporting events. This year, the A Quality Service (AQS) team has been busier than ever, ensuring visitors enjoy memorable experiences at iconic venues across Wales.

While audiences are having a blast at live concerts at the Principality Stadium or cheering on the Glamorgan cricket team at Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground, our dedicated team is working tirelessly behind the scenes. Their commitment ensures visitors enjoy these events in an immaculate setting, and the quality of our service contributes to the overall customer experience.

Here, we look back at some of the highlights of the summer:

Live concerts at the Principality

We’ve been providing our services at the Principality Stadium for many years, cleaning up after millions of visitors at some of the most iconic events. This year proved to be no different, with a stellar lineup this summer.

On June 11th, P!nk got the party started at the Principality Stadium, entertaining the crowd with her famous acrobatic performance during the Summer Carnival show. A week later, Taylor Swift entertained the audience with her latest show, and the Foo Fighters performed their first Welsh gig in 17 years on June 26th.

Each performance presented its own set of challenges. Across a single event, over 200 AQS staff are committed to maintaining a clean and tidy stadium, with each team member playing a vital role and adept at handling their responsibilities at these events. The team ensured the venue remained in top condition for the tens of thousands of people in attendance across all live shows, supporting with kitchen portering, lift operation, litter picking and carrying out a swift clean-up after the event.

An eye for detail

Meticulous planning is essential to ensure a high level of service is maintained during an event. For instance, the Taylor Swift concert had an audience of 70,000, which requires additional considerations. Often, many people are waiting outside the stadium in queues before the doors open. Chris Williams, Event Operations Manager at AQS explains how this is managed by the team:

“Not only is it vital to keep the stadium clean inside, but we must also keep the outside well maintained before and after the event too. It is our job to ensure portaloos are supplied and monitored regularly, that bins are emptied, and that an AQS team member is on hand to swiftly clean up afterwards once all visitors are inside the stadium.”

Once the events have finished, our team gets to work: all litter must be collected, toilets are cleaned, and empty plastic, glass and metal cans are sorted for recycling, preparing the venue to host the next event.

Going above and beyond on adrenaline-pumped race days

Following the concerts, the venue was transformed to accommodate racing. On July 6th, we welcomed Monster Jam, where the world's best drivers perform stunts and race in Monster trucks.

During this event, the team played a proactive role in its overall success - we helped prepare the pitch by providing labourers, and ensured the stadium was clean and tidy throughout for thousands of visitors. A special team of Brand Ambassadors, who work alongside the Monster Jam team to support the brand with its other activities, provided support on the pitch side during children's activities, including remote control cars and colouring stations. This further highlights how our team goes the extra mile to support the overall success of an event.

On August 7th, Round 7 of the FIM Speedway GP 2024 took place at the Principality Stadium. In addition to our cleaning duties, the team played a crucial role in setting up the racetrack by providing telehandlers and forklift drivers to move material around and prepare the track for racing.

Supporting other events across Wales

Our hard work isn’t limited to the Principality Stadium. Throughout the summer, we help with cleaning during horse racing days at Chepstow—a contract we’ve been involved in for many years—and at Glamorgan’s County Cricket Ground, Sophia Gardens. We are used to adapting to the unique needs of each venue, and our experience and expertise during each event this summer contributed to their success.

The hard work doesn’t stop there

As the summer draws to a close, our team's work doesn’t stop. We have many more events in the pipeline, including cricket in September and rugby internationals in the Autumn. Regardless of the event, our team is committed to providing the highest quality service.

Choosing an experienced event cleaning team with an eye for detail can make the difference between a successful event, and one that visitors will remember for the wrong reasons. We understand the vital role we play in making sure these events are enjoyable and look forward to providing the same high level of service for the final events of the year.

If you’d like to know more about how our cleaning team can add value to your event, please get in touch on 01443 217000 or email info@aqualityservice.co.uk

Behind the scenes: A spotlight on the unsung heroes of stadium hospitality

Wed, 08 May 2024 12:27:43 GMT

Kitchen porters are the unsung heroes of the hospitality world, keeping kitchens running smoothly behind the scenes. Excellent customer service and hospitality are vital to running a successful stadium event, and with crowds often reaching 60,000-70,000 individuals per night during the biggest events, our kitchen porter team works hard and diligently to ensure customers’ hospitality experiences are as fantastic as the performances they are seeing.

We want to shine a spotlight on our exceptional kitchen porter team members who work tirelessly to ensure customers receive the five star experience they deserve. We will also explore why now is the perfect time for potential recruits to join our growing stadium cleaning team in Cardiff, Wales.

Meet the team

Rhys Dunn, Kitchen Porter

Describe a typical shift as a kitchen porter

During my shifts, I am tasked with washing the dishes that come back into the kitchen from the customers in the various hospitality areas. I must ensure that all the dishes are rinsed thoroughly before going into the dishwasher, and I must ensure that the kitchen is kept tidy by emptying bins and cleaning work surfaces.

What initially attracted you to this role and what do you enjoy most about it?

The thing that attracted me to this role was the fact that I did not need any past experience to start, which was a big factor as this was my very first job. The thing I enjoy most about this job is the fact I get to meet new people almost every shift as I move around the stadium each shift.

Would you recommend working as a kitchen porter to others?

I would definitely recommend this job to anyone who is looking for way into the hospitality sector.

Daniel Graves, Kitchen Porter

What initially attracted you to this role and what do you enjoy most about it?

I was initially attracted to this role as it provided a longer shift on a frequent enough basis to help me achieve my financial goals while juggling my other commitments. Upon joining the team, everyone has been extremely friendly while management has provided a lot of support while I learn the role.

Describe a typical shift as a kitchen porter

As a kitchen porter, I have worked both in the box and in the changing bins role. Working in the box involves clearing dishes into food waste bins while carefully boxing up utensils and crockery items. These then needs to be stacked in roll cages or onto a flat bed and taken down to the main kitchen for another member of staff to clean and put back into storage. Changing bins involves helping the hospitality staff to correctly empty their rubbish into the correct type of bin and replacing once full.

Would you recommend working as a kitchen porter to others?

Yes, I have really enjoyed my time working as a kitchen porter as all of the staff have been very welcoming.

Karol Pielesz, Kitchen Porter Supervisor

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Kitchen porters are some of my favourite teams to work with and I love when I see them smile on/during their shift, it tells me I’m doing a good job, and shows others they are happy with the tasks at hand.

Would you recommend working as a kitchen porter to others?

Yes, and I always do!

Chi Hung Alfonson Kwan, Kitchen Porter and Litter Picker

What initially attracted you to this role and what do you enjoy most about it?

It is easy to handle, and I am enjoying making a cleaning environment. 

Describe a typical shift as a kitchen porter

I’m in the kitchen and my main duties are washing dishes and appliances, emptying trash receptacles, scrubbing floors, restocking items, and performing other tasks to ensure that the kitchen and dining areas are clean. 

Would you recommend working as a kitchen porter to others?

Yes, for sure!

Miroslaw Jackiewicz, Cleaning Operative and Kitchen Porter Supervisor

What initially attracted you to this role?

The flexible hours

Would you recommend working as a kitchen porter to others?

Yes I would recommend working as a kitchen porter, it's nice and easy job.

Join the team

“Our kitchen porter team speak so positively about their experiences working for AQS, and have no hesitation in recommending the roles to others,” says Maja Abramek, Operations Support Manager at AQS.

“If you are looking to be a part of something special – a friendly, supportive team who work hard and deliver fantastic results for our clients – please do keep an eye on our vacancies page; we are often looking for individuals to join our growing team.

“Our stadium cleaning team play an essential role in the smooth operation of events – working on concerts for artists such as Beyonce, Coldplay, and Harry Styles, plus competitive sporting events – and we want to thank them for their ongoing hard work and commitment to excellent cleaning standards.”

To find out more about working for AQS, have a look at our current vacancies , or get in touch via our contact page .

Prioritising mental health in the workplace

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 09:50:40 GMT

Poor mental health accounts for more than half of all work-related illnesses. According to data , around 51% of long-term sick leave is due to stress, depression, or anxiety. Given that we spend a significant portion of our adult lives working, our workplaces must have a secure infrastructure that can support us in dealing with the wide variety of challenges that life can bring.

At AQS, we understand that our team is the beating heart of everything we do and take pride in the excellent cleaning service we provide where people live, work, and play. Safety is one of the core values that underpin our business. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that we not only carry this through on every job we do but also include our staff to ensure every member receives access to mental health support to ensure their wellbeing and productivity.

Why mental wellbeing matters - the proof is in the data.

Many employees are experiencing higher levels of intensity and pressure at work, resulting in an increase in work-related mental health cases, as indicated by a recent survey published by the HSE . The statistics reveal that 1.8 million workers reported they were suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23, with approximately half of the cases down to stress, depression or anxiety.

As an employer, we believe it is important to prioritise the wellbeing of our colleagues by supporting them. Therefore, we strongly encourage each senior staff member at AQS to become an Everymind Mental Health Champion, along with the implementation of our supportive initiatives within the organisation. In doing so, we have successfully created a supportive and healthy network for our team.

Every mind at Work – Mental Health Champions

Everymind is an on-demand support service designed for Mental Health First Aiders and champions who volunteer their time and compassion to support their colleagues. It also provides people with the necessary skills to support themselves and their colleagues at work.

Becoming champions has given us access to valuable insights and actionable resources for promoting better mental health.

How we support our staff

We have implemented a Health and Wellbeing policy that includes the support of a fully trained Mental Health First Aider. This trained professional is available to assist any existing staff facing issues. Our policy aims to create a positive and supportive organisational culture where negative wellbeing issues are identified, minimised, and managed before they affect staff wellbeing. Our ultimate goal is to promote positive health and wellbeing ideas and practices at work.

AQS Mental Health Champion and Operations Support Manager, Maja Abramek comments on some of the ways we support staff:

"We talk to them. There is a lot more awareness now around mental health with people suffering from anxiety and depression. When talking to staff, we must approach delicately and show great empathy.

"Picking up on a physical reaction like shaking or changing the tone of voice is just one example of what a Mental Health champion is looking for. It's our job to read these situations and offer our full support.

“With each scenario, we understand that we must support the unique needs of their situation. For instance, if they are facing any family-related issues, we offer flexibility in terms of changing their work hours or relocating them to a different area.”

This isn’t the only way we support our staff - every single staff member through our Employee Assistance Programme has access to health and wellbeing support through Health Assured . This service offers compassionate support 24/7, 365 days a year, trauma management, and wellbeing support, and is another way to highlight our dedication to supporting staff.

Supporting others in need

Recognising the critical importance of mental health services, and as a key part of our commitment to mental health advocacy and support, we’re proud to support local charity Mind Cymru .

Chosen by all the staff at AQS, this charity has a mission of ensuring that everyone in Wales has access to the necessary information, support, and services.

By supporting Mind Cymru, we are actively contributing to ensuring no one in Wales faces a mental health challenge alone. We recognise the broader societal impact of mental health initiatives, and this collaboration reflects our ethos of community engagement and social responsibility.

The difference it can make to our colleagues and yours

No matter which industry you work in, mental health should be taken seriously in the workplace. Supporting the mental wellbeing of staff can help reduce sickness absences and reassure staff that they are seen as people and not just someone who delivers a job.

Establishing a positive, open mental health culture and having someone that you can talk to within our workplace is something we can only see as a positive in our organisation part of the Tudor Group. We are proud to support our wide network of staff to ensure they are given the required support they deserve.

Should you wish to seek mental health support, many resources are available online. Here is a link to a handy guide on Mind UK on the services available, how they can help and when to access them.

We’ve got the hottest tickets in town!

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 10:30:59 GMT

Are you looking forward to a big entertainment or sporting event coming up in South Wales this year? If so, there’s a very good chance that the AQS team will be in attendance too, preparing the way for you and other guests.

Singing and sport at the Principality Stadium

The Principality Stadium, formerly known as the Millenium Stadium, is the national stadium of Wales. With a capacity of 74,000, it is frequently chosen to host world-class music acts, with Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Pink and the Foo Fighters scheduled to perform in May and June alone. Our events team will be on hand too, for these and other acts, ensuring a top-class experience.

At these events, we’re no strangers to cleaning after tens of thousands of visitors, as was the case for Coldplay concert and Harry Styles concert in 2023 , where our team ensured a seamless experience for attending fans assisting with kitchen portering, litter picking, and lift operating.

Turning to rugby, the stadium will also need our team for the Six Nations competition this spring. In fact, that goes double – as well as the men’s fixtures, the Principality will see Wales women take on Italy in the Women’s Six Nations in April. These are just a few of the events where we’ll be providing our support, as later on in the year, our team will be attending weekly rugby at this venue.

More sporting dates in our diary

The Principality Stadium isn’t the only venue we’ll be going to in connection with rugby. The very nearby Cardiff Arms Park will be our responsibility too, and so will football at Cardiff City Stadium.

If cricket is more your cup of tea, we will make sure you have a first-class experience at Glamorgan’s home, Sophia Gardens. International Twenty20 will rely on our team when club cricket makes way for England and Pakistan in May – the “England” team of course representing England and Wales both.

Covering a broad range of different events, Chepstow Racecourse is another destination our events team will be returning to in 2024. Among the many fixtures we will be attending, Chepstow will be supporting racing at Aintree with a special Grand National Party Raceday in April.

A number of these venues have been AQS assignments for many years, and we are very proud that our partners value our contribution and continue to rely on us to keep their locations in tip-top condition before, during and after events.

Hard but rewarding work

Throughout these events, our team will support across a variety of cleaning services. The main cleaning is completed by a number of specialist teams who work in combination. During as well as after any event, waste operatives will clear responsibly binned litter, while the litter pickers will cope with less considerate guests. Mops teams are for spillages, and sweepers, who come in after the crowds leave, use extra-large brushes to help with the ongoing work by the litter pickers.

Another key area we are on hand with is kitchen portering, either directly in an on-site kitchen, or perhaps at a cleaning station, collecting plates, for example.

Event cleaning always involves fixed and hard deadlines. In almost every case, the venue must be spick and span for the next morning. Ten-hour shifts are the norm for our events team. That’s not every day, of course, but events workers know each fixture is a demanding assignment. But there’s also a quiet pride in enabling some of the most exciting and high-profile engagements in the UK. Without our team, other hard-working people wouldn’t be able to enjoy the days they look forward to the most, so we’re very motivated to ensure that through our hard work, we’re playing a key role in crafting memorable experiences for each and every attendee.

Here's to a great year ahead

Throughout 2024, our teams will cross paths with hundreds of events and millions of spectators. The team often go unnoticed, but they play a vital role in making sure events run smoothly. We’re thoroughly looking forward to it, witnessing some of the biggest acts, teams and matches in 2024, whilst showcasing our ability, experience and commitment to a quality service.

If you are responsible for an event, please call AQS today to discuss your cleaning needs on 01443 217 000. You can also email info@aqualityservice.co.uk or use our contact page .

We’re always on the lookout for talent, so if you think you might be right for the AQS team, please check our job vacancies page .

Celebrating team successes

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 07:47:07 GMT

Last week, we attended the Cleaning Excellence Conference and Awards in Coventry. Together with members from the AQS team and wider Tudor Group teams, we spent the day attending seminars – from sustainability to robotics - and meeting contacts from within the facilities management industry.

The Cleaning Excellence Awards were held the same day, and with the AQS team renowned for their conscientious, can-do attitudes, we were delighted that our colleagues had been recognised for their hard work, and were shortlisted in three award categories:

Cleaning & Hygiene Team of the Year - Principality Stadium

Headed up by George Olteanu, Mihai Roncea, and Vasil Alexandru Petcu, the Principality and Specialist Cleaning team work across hundreds of events over the course of a summer, keeping stadiums looking their best for thousands of spectators. The operatives are often barely noticed by those enjoying themselves, even when working during the event, but our team ensures that every visitor experiences the event in an immaculate setting.

In June this year, for example, Coldplay, renowned for their awe-inspiring performances, took the stage at the Principality Stadium.

For two consecutive nights, the shows brought in a staggering 61,000 spectators each, posing a significant logistical challenge for the AQS team. The aftermath included a sky strewn with balloons and a ground blanketed in confetti, prompting an enormous cleanup effort.

With a dedicated team of approximately 250 AQS operatives on-site per night, the daunting task was methodically tackled. While litter pickers looked after discarded programmes, cups, and navigated the confetti-laden floor—kitchen staff replenished refreshment zones and food counters for another night of satisfying hungry fans.

AQS’s summer achievements at the Principality Stadium showcase our expertise, adaptability, and commitment. What truly sets AQS apart, however, is not just our operational prowess but also our passion.

Going Above and Beyond Expectations - Anna Psztyk

For the last 5 years Anna has been a manager responsible for the ‘ Student Accommodation Summer Deep Clean ’ across the UK (for example: Cardiff, Bath, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bangor) – no mean feat!

Anna is also currently managing one of the biggest contracts for AQS – schools (Cardiff and Vale College – Cardiff & Barry, Eastern High School – Cardiff, Ysgol Bro Morgannwg – Barry, Ysgol Y Deri - Penarth & Barry, Ysgol Drew Newydd – Barry).

Both areas of this educational sector require total commitment, great physical and mental endurance (long distances between facilities, time pressure - to complete all the work on time or before the opening of schools), and second to none communication skills, effectively managing contractors, cleaners and supervisors.

Anna’s attention to detail is faultless, whilst at the same time demonstrating an above-average ability to handle various challenges simultaneously. Anna is not only line manager for 4 managers, 10 supervisors and about 200 cleaners a day, but if the situation requires it - she cleans herself and her motto is: "the example comes from above".

Supervisor of the Year - Viktoriia Griscenko

Viktoriia joined AQS Ltd in 2020 in a cleaning role, giving her the necessary knowledge of the company's products and methods. Thanks to her great attention to detail, the standards in the schools she runs have been raised to a high level.

Operating on the principle "know your team", Viktoriia’s teams are made up of people of all ages and abilities, but because she knows their capabilities, she can divide up the work on the sites to suit the individual operative.

In this way, the team can play to their strengths and Viktoriia is able to utilise their potential in the best way to fulfil the requirements of the contract. Planning the work in advance results in good organisation and her team knows exactly what is expected of them at any given time.

The team Viktoriia has built up includes a ‘standby’ team, able to travel to the workplace in a short space of time if additional help is needed. Viktoriia’s whole team has noticed the difference when they help each other, and have a greater understanding of how important each individual team member is within a team.

To have been shortlisted for these awards was a wonderful achievement for the whole team, particularly considering the high level of competition, but we then also went on to win two ‘Highly Commended’ awards, for ‘Cleaning & Hygiene Team of the Year’ and ‘Going Above and Beyond Expectations’.

Commenting on the day, Fabien Caqueret, Tudor Group Managing Director, said: “We’re so proud of the incredible team we have at AQS. To be recognised for the work they do on a daily basis is a wonderful achievement, congratulations again.”

To find out more about how we work, or to find out how to work with AQS, get in touch today on 01443 217000 or via our Contact page .

Our partnership with Cardiff City FC: a perfect match

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 14:06:10 GMT

Building a solid working relationship

The team at AQS has become a trusted partner for Cardiff City FC, providing services for both training centres, and events at Cardiff City Stadium. Over the course of several years, we have built a relationship with Cardiff City FC that’s a real testament to our teams’ reliability, efficiency, and quality service.

At Cardiff City Vale, the first team's training centre, AQS has built an enduring relationship over four successful years. Seven days a week, two dedicated cleaners ensure that the athletes have a spotless environment, contributing to the overall functioning and aesthetic of the facility.

"A clean training centre is essential. It directly impacts the performance and well-being of everyone, so it is great to be able to rely on the AQS team." says Lee Southernwood, Football Support Executive at Cardiff City.

“Since my responsibility is to manage efficiency at the Vale training centre it’s a huge advantage having an excellent working relationship with the cleaning professionals at AQS. The operatives at AQS are not just staff, they are the face of the company. So their hard work speaks volumes about the kind of service AQS offers.”

Understanding the needs of a busy venue

That service meets many challenges at the stadium, such as preparing for and cleaning up after huge sporting and entertainment events. Tomos Nash, Stewarding & Event Manager at Cardiff City FC, says finding a reliable team for event cleaning was challenging:

“Sports and music events can both finish pretty late, which means we need a cleaning team that can revolve around what we do. I’ve developed a great business relationship with AQS Operations Manager, Chris Williams, who always deploys the right people, at the right time.

“AQS is super reliable. When it comes to cleaning up after a big game it’s dependability and punctuality that matter. AQS wins every time on that front.”

AQS was recommended to the team at the stadium through a mutual contact, who knew the stadium was experiencing challenges with its cleaning demands and needs. At the stadium, we support the in-house teams in both pre-event preparation and post-event cleaning, including litter picking.

"We usually provide 13 staff per event, working 5-hour shifts," Chris explains,

"For Wales games, the staff number doubles. Our team is versatile, often working before and sometimes after the events to ensure a thorough clean-up."

Delivering a great service leads to new wins

Our reliable and flexible record of service led to AQS winning the contract for the new Llanrumney Training Centre, a state-of-the-art sports complex built in collaboration between Cardiff Council, Cardiff University, and Cardiff City House of Sport.

There, we deliver cleaning services seven days a week. Lee Southernwood, who oversees the training centres, couldn't be happier with our performance:

"The project is a critical investment, not just for the club's Academy but for the entire community. Having a partner like AQS, who understands the task inside and out, is invaluable.

“Flexibility is another strength for AQS that really comes in handy. Changing rotas and schedules is simply the reality at a busy sports complex, but their team is used to working flexibly. Most have been working at the centre for quite a while and have adapted as required.”

AQS's relationship with Cardiff City FC is a business contract but also a partnership built on years of trust, adaptability , and excellent service. Tomos Nash, Stewarding and Event Manager:

“Working with AQS offers peace of mind that is a priceless commodity in such a fast-paced world like professional sports can be at times. We would absolutely work with the team there again when it comes to any future projects.”

Chris Williams concludes: “Our team and Cardiff City FC are very much committed to continuing what’s become a strong partnership. We’re always working hard to reaffirm that we’re the go-to people for bespoke and reliable facility maintenance in the sports and entertainments industry.

“The team at AQS takes pride knowing that Cardiff City FC welcomes their devoted fans to an organised, clean stadium. We know that this stadium represents Wales and the UK, so we’ll continue to make sure that, whoever wins, people leave impressed.”

If you’d like find out more about the services we provide, or to chat to us about taking your event cleaning services to the next level, contact us today .

AQS Springs into Action at Cardiff and Vale College

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:09:06 GMT

AQS has a solid track record in the UK for delivering excellent cleaning services within the education sector. The company’s most recent contract win at Cardiff and Vale College, has been a testament to our ability to get things up and running swiftly.

Launching our operations at Cardiff and Vale College wasn’t a simple process of ticking boxes. Right from the start, our emphasis was on understanding the unique requirements of the site and key to this was assembling a team with a mix of experience and enthusiasm.

“The college is based across several campuses and each location has its own unique demands, but when we took over the contract, we were confident that with our renowned flexible approach, we could tackle each campus's bespoke needs head-on” explains Viktoriia Griscenko , Account Manager (Education) at AQS.

The mobilisation project was a combined effort where everyone played a crucial role. From senior colleagues with years of experience under their belts to members of the newly hired cleaning team, every team member contributed with enthusiasm and dedication.

Viktoriia agrees: "More than the activities that were to be undertaken on site, it was the spirit of togetherness that made the difference. Alongside me, the AQS team made up of Anna Psztyk, (Education Operations Manager), Maja Abramek, (Operations Support Manager) together with Robin Kinrade (Director) met numerous times before the start of the contract to prepare the mobilisation plan.

“Our ethos is about collective growth and shared success. At Cardiff and Vale, we turned challenges into learning experiences, ensuring we not only met but frequently exceeded expectations. A contract of this size would typically be mobilised over a three-month period – but we got things up and running in under one month, a fantastic testament to our hardworking team.”

Building the Dream Team

The size of the operation means that as well as utilising the existing team, TUPEd over to join AQS, Viktoriia needed to recruit a bank of new cleaning staff on site.

Viktoriia continues “When we looked at the staffing requirements, we weren't just in search of competent hands; we looked for individuals who had an evident passion for cleaning work. A team that wouldn't just clock in and clock out but would take pride in their work.”

“We held several rounds of interviews, and while technical know-how was on our checklist, we closely observed the enthusiasm candidates displayed. You can teach how to properly handle chemicals and machinery, but you can't teach passion - that's what we value most in applicants – in fact it is one of our company values."

It has been this unique blend of skill and energy that's made the Cardiff and Vale contract a success.

“A passionate worker not only does the task at hand but constantly thinks of ways to do it better. They take feedback positively and are always eager to learn and develop. At this college, we wanted a team that viewed cleaning not just as a task but an enjoyable occupation, a way to contribute to the vibrant academic environment.”

Boots on the Ground

"When we say cleaning, it’s not just about pushing a mop or wiping down a table. Every single space, from bustling classrooms to frequently visited loos, needs to be at its best. And given the sheer number of students, every day brings its own set of challenges.”

But it's not just the volume of students that keeps us on our toes; it’s the pace and variety of college life. Lectures, group projects, impromptu study sessions, evening events, and everything in between.

Equipped with advanced cleaning tools and methods, our teams have mastered the art of being efficient and bespoke. This achievement isn’t just down to the equipment but also the training and ethos we instil.

Whether it’s the peak of exam season or a quieter summer afternoon, we’ve worked out an ever-adaptive schedule. The goal? Offering a pristine environment that boosts learning and ensures everyone's comfort, all while moving seamlessly in the background.

Flexibility at its Finest

At AQS, we pride ourselves on our ability to mobilise quickly to accommodate the diverse and ever-changing requirements of an institution like Cardiff and Vale College. From impromptu deep cleans to remedy of unexpected spills, the landscape of college life is as unpredictable as it is exciting.

No matter how quickly we react to a situation, we're always undertaking tasks with the utmost concern for health and safety. These processes are at the core of our operations, confirming that every task is not only executed with precision but also in line with our IS0 45001 Health & Safety certification.

In valuing the safety of both our team and the college community, we build a foundation of trust and reliability, making certain that our methods are as rigorous as they are effective.

Our team is adept at using a variety of tools and cleaning products, all chosen with the college's specific needs in mind. When there's a sudden need for additional cleaning, we have contingency procedures that swiftly address the situation and guarantee continued operations.

That proactive approach also means anticipating needs, which is where our meticulous work scheduling comes into play. By closely aligning our cleaning with the college’s schedule, we ensure minimal disruption while maximising efficiency.

Viktoriia: "The importance of staff on-boarding and training is pivotal in success for these types of activities too. Even if a team member doesn't initially have extensive cleaning experience, our comprehensive training programme brings them up to speed, bringing a consistent quality of service."

"The appreciation and positive feedback we've received from the college speaks volumes on our team's dedication and hard work. Our vision is to consistently enhance our services, adapt to the college's evolving needs, and ensure that this great partnership remains strong and productive."

For more information on how AQS can provide the bespoke cleaning solutions you demand, contact our customer service team today .

AQS masters unique challenges of construction cleaning

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 09:45:45 GMT

At AQS we’ve recently partnered with Morgan Sindall on a project in Cardiff that reaffirms the essential role we play in the cleaning of building sites.

A construction site is a beehive of activities. From putting up structures to applying fresh coats of paint, the site evolves daily. AQS cleaners are trained to handle this dynamic environment. On any given day, they might be steering a forklift or meticulously cleaning an area that has just been painted.

The Cardiff development is a phased process running until 2024, in which we’re actively conducting day-to-day construction cleaning. A significant aspect of the contract being the ‘sparkle clean’ - also known as a ‘builders clean’ - involves ensuring the site is free of dust or debris before being handed over to the developer.

Once all construction activity has ceased, we’re meticulous with a real deep clean ensuring these new structures are pristine for the developer and prospective buyers. From general building site cleaning to the pristine look that impresses potential residents, AQS are proving to be the go-to team for construction cleaning.

Trained for the task

An essential aspect of our training is the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Holders of this card understand the unique challenges of a live construction site and is equipped to address them, particularly when it comes to health and safety.

Obtaining the CSCS card requires dedication and a demonstration of both knowledge and competence. Applicants must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test. This test ensures that candidates have a solid understanding of the health and safety procedures and protocols associated with construction sites.

Depending on the specific job role and responsibilities, further qualifications may be necessary. For example, specialist cleaners like AQS working in industrial settings, must pursue the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card, which demands additional training.

It's not just about ticking boxes; it’s about ensuring that every cardholder is equipped and prepared to operate safely and effectively on construction sites across the country.

Expertise in phased construction cleaning

AQS - operating as part of the Tudor Group family - prides itself it’s meticulous approach to phased cleaning in construction projects, tailored to seamlessly fit the evolving needs of a site. At each phase, the demands and focal areas shift, and it's this dynamic that underscores our strategy.

During the initial stages of a construction project, areas frequently occupied by the construction team become the centre of our attention. These are bustling hubs of activity, with equipment, materials, and personnel constantly in motion. It's crucial that these zones remain uncluttered, safe, and hygienic.

As the construction enters the latter stages, freshly plastered walls, newly painted rooms, or recently laid floors need a different touch. These are areas that are transitioning from the rawness of construction to the refinement of completion. Our team is trained to handle such delicate phases, ensuring that the finishing touches are unspoiled and retain their pristine condition.

Towards the conclusion of the project, we make sure that every visible and concealed space is immaculate. This is the phase where our cleaning efforts come to the forefront, transforming the construction site into a space that’s ready for occupancy. Developers and stakeholders expect to see a site that mirrors their vision, and we ensure that the reality meets their expectations.

The essence of our success on construction sites isn't just about reacting to the needs of such a fluctuating area. We believe in proactive integration. By embedding ourselves into the construction process, we gain an in-depth understanding of the project's trajectory.

This insight allows us to anticipate cleaning needs, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure that our services harmoniously align with the overarching project timeline and objectives.

Commitment to excellence and safety

The core ethos of AQS is anchored in two foundational principles: excellence and safety. With every task we undertake, every project we embark on, we approach it with a rigorous standard of quality and focus on safety.

Construction sites are fluid, ever-evolving spaces that present a unique set of challenges daily, and every AQS team has been trained to meet the demands of these types of environments.

The construction sector is dynamic, with new methodologies, equipment, and regulations emerging. Recognising this, we've established a culture of continuous learning.

Our team is regularly updated, retrained, and equipped with the latest knowledge to ensure we're not just matching industry standards but setting them. Our accreditations are symbols of our relentless pursuit of excellence and our commitment to maintain it.

Safety, the twin pillar of our ethos, is intertwined with everything we do. A construction site, by its very nature, has inherent risks. It's our job to ensure that our operations neither introduce new hazards nor exacerbate existing ones.

We invest heavily in training our team to recognise, mitigate, and eliminate potential risks. Every procedure, every protocol is designed with safety at the core, ensuring we not only protect our team but everyone involved in the project.

Choosing AQS for your construction clean

Robin Kinrade, Director at AQS, comments:

“For developers and construction teams, the metrics of a successful cleaning team aren't just about a clean site. It's about the peace of mind that comes from knowing the team understands the intricacies of the site, is adaptable to its evolving demands, and operates with a focus on quality and safety.

“It's this comprehensive approach that has cemented AQS's position in construction cleaning. Our collaboration with prestigious names, including the recent partnership with Morgan Sindall in Cardiff, further cements us a reliable partner for construction cleaning.

“Our two objectives are to make sure these sites are cleaned amid the flurry of construction and to guarantee the buildings have a pristine interior when the developer visits to see the finish build.

“We’ve been successful in those objectives in Cardiff and elsewhere across the country, bringing our values and our expertise to ensure cleanliness and safety always go together in construction.”

If you’d like to speak to a customer service representative about how AQS can provide construction cleaning for your project, contact the team here .

Summer success: cleaning up at the Principality Stadium

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:22:19 GMT

Summer brings with it a surge of energy, the vibrant sounds of concerts, and the electric atmosphere of star-studded events at the Principality Stadium.

While the audience revels in the magic of live music, behind the scenes, our team ensures that every visitor experiences the event in an immaculate setting.

Here we look at how the AQS team delivered exemplary service at some of the most iconic concerts this summer.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé's concert on 17th May was not just a celebration of music; it put a spotlight on the dedication and expertise of the AQS team. As Beyoncé captivated an audience of thousands, the experienced AQS team of Litter Pickers, Lift Operators and Kitchen Porters played a vital role in ensuring the visitors enjoyed the best experience.

Litter picking for events on a large scale, such as this Beyonce concert, with visitors attending in their thousands, requires meticulous planning, something that the team deliver to the highest level of efficiency regularly at the Principality Stadium. After the fans had left the stadium, the AQS team sprang into action.

Our colleagues made sure discarded items were handled safely and in accordance with environmental regulations. Their efficiency was such that many people attending a concert the next day would never have known by the stadium’s look that there had been a full-blown world tour gig the night before.

The scale of a Beyoncé concert means thousands of refreshments, meals, and snacks. And where there's food and drink, there's a need for kitchen porters. AQS's kitchen portering team guaranteed everything ran like clockwork, from ensuring clean utensils to managing waste.

Coldplay

Coldplay, renowned for their awe-inspiring performances, took the stage at the Principality Stadium on the 6th and 7th of June.

Two nights of packed performances, each drawing a staggering 61,000 spectators, meant a massive logistical challenge, but for the AQS team, it was a tangible challenge, especially when combined with a sky full of balloons and a ground carpeted in confetti. These remnants of celebration, though indicative of a night well-spent, also signalled the onset of a colossal cleanup operation.

With around 250 dedicated AQS professionals at the helm each night, the task, though monumental, was systematically approached. While litter-picking teams wove through the remnants of a night filled with music, navigating discarded programs, cups, and the confetti-covered floor, kitchen porters ensured the refreshment areas and food counters reset for another evening of hungry fans.

Harry Styles

When Harry Styles took to the stage on the nights of 20th and 21st June at the Principality Stadium, fans knew they were in for an unforgettable experience. As the melodies of the former One Direction star echoed through the stadium, behind the scenes, the AQS team was gearing up for yet another masterclass in event cleaning.

Handling the aftermath of approximately 60,000 spectators is no small feat. Every concert brings its unique set of challenges, and for AQS, it was all about ensuring the venue remained in top condition, especially with back-to-back performances on the schedule.

The efficient cleanup after the first night was not just about maintaining the stadium's aesthetics, but also about ensuring a seamless experience for fans returning or attending the subsequent concert.

AQS is the premier choice for event cleaning

Every team member has a deep understanding that their role, though behind the scenes, is vital in crafting memorable experiences for each attendee.

Robin Kinrade, Managing Director at AQS, says:

"Our strength at AQS lies in our people. From those managing operations to the individuals on the ground, every team member embodies the company’s core values: safety, quality, passion, accountability, and fairness. This cohesive and dedicated approach ensures that they not only meet but often exceed expectations.

"While summer at the Principality Stadium brought with it an array of star performances, our workforce were the unsung heroes who ensured cleanliness and hygiene throughout. Their relentless dedication, meticulous planning, and unwavering commitment make them the gold standard in event cleaning.

"For any venue or event organiser, choosing AQS isn't just a decision; it's an investment in excellence."

If you'd like to invest in excellence and choose a first class cleaning service for your events, contact AQS today for a chat about your bespoke demands.

Summer season engagements for AQS

Thu, 25 May 2023 08:11:18 GMT

Working for AQS means a crammed social calendar that would put to shame the diary of a Kardashian! Admittedly, our colleagues are more likely to be seen working hard at events rather than sipping champagne, but we do get to attend a number of the most exciting events staged.

World-class music acts at the Principality Stadium

The Principality Stadium (originally the Millennium Stadium) is the national stadium of Wales. This huge venue seats 74,000 (or 1.3 million if you measure by the year). Among the acts we will be supporting this summer are:

Beyoncé (17 May)
Coldplay (6 & 7 June)
Harry Styles (20 & 21 June)

Recently, we sat down with several members of the Principality Stadium Events Team to talk to them about their work. They ranged in background from students and others looking for some part-time work to those aiming to build a career in facilities management, but they all seemed equally enthusiastic about the work. Click here to meet the team.

A day at the races

If you’re in the mood for a flutter, you might see our team at Chepstow Racecourse. We will be there at various dates in June (2, 10, 16, 26 and 30 June) plus 1 July and 2 July. Wales doesn’t have an officially designated national racecourse, but if it did, Chepstow, just across the River Severn from Bristol and England, would be it. The racecourse is certainly the most well-known of Wales’s three courses, hosting the Welsh Grand National every Christmas, among many other meetings.

First-class cricket

Glamorgan County Cricket Club is Wales’s only first-class club, and has won the ‘English’ County Championship three times, most recently in 1997. For a slightly more relaxed outing than thundering half-tonne horses or international rock stars, see us in Cardiff, June 2, 9, 18, 21, 23, and 25.

Fun fact: Glamorgan have defeated national sides from all test-playing nations – yes, even Australia.

What we do at events

Event cleaning is demanding work, with large crowds and no leeway in timing – each venue must be bright and clean for the next day’s activity. Our staff often work long hours. In fact, 10-hour shifts are usual rather than the exception, but it’s always a privilege to attend these famous venues, with fun mixed into the work.

Event cleaning is also specialist work. Our teams are trained to quickly and efficiently clean everything from seating, to walkways, stairs, external and car park areas to internal spaces. Specific techniques are applied to locations such as corporate boxes, food outlets, changing rooms and washrooms.

First in after the crowds leave is our sweeper team, using large brushes to clear up as much as possible. Secondary litter pickers will come in to clean whatever has been missed. Litter pickers are hard at work while the event continues, and the same is true of other specialist units, such as mops teams, kitchen porters and lift operators.

The work before the work

The most important activity for any event takes place before the day itself. AQS will spend a considerable time learning every new location, and then more planning for every event, so the teams will proceed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Many of our operatives choose to stay with us for years, and we invest heavily in training, upskilling staff continuously, and ensuring old skills are refreshed and retested periodically.

As we said , recently we chatted to some of the members of our specialist Events Team. Cleaning Supervisor Carl has been with us for six years, graduating up from cleaning operative to his current role – and in fact others at AQS have been with us for quite a bit longer than that. Throughout our company and the wider Tudor Group we’re a part of, you will find people in senior positions who started out “on the tools”, before moving up to other work.

What’s in a summer?

Over the course of a summer, our teams will intersect with hundreds of events and millions of spectators. The operatives are often barely noticed by those enjoying themselves, even when working during the event, but spare a thought for those who make your day out possible, and without whom, all fun would have to be cancelled.

To find out more about our specialist cleaning services, call us on 01443 217 000, email info@aqualityservice.co.uk or visit our contact page .

If you are thinking of joining the Tudor Group family, check out our list of vacancies here . AQS and the whole of the Tudor Group are proud to be Recognised Service Providers by the Living Wage Foundation , meaning we pay all staff the Foundation’s recommended real Living Wage, not the lower legal minimum wage.

But, above all, have a great summer.

Polishing our expertise: AQS at The Cleaning Show 2023

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 11:59:43 GMT

Anna Psztyk and Robin Kinrade from AQS attended The Cleaning Show in London recently, where they gained valuable insights into the latest innovations in the sector and participated in a cutting-edge conference programme.

Anna is our Operations Manager (Education), spearheading all our contractual activities in the Education sector, encompassing various educational institutions such as schools, colleges, universities, and student accommodations. With over 30 years of experience, Robin serves the company as Director . In the last decade, he has led AQS from a small business to a national service working with some of the biggest organisations in the southwest of England and in Wales.

With over 7,000 attendees, The Cleaning Show is an important annual event for professionals like AQS to connect, learn and discover new products, services, and suppliers. The event brought together industry professionals and the sector's biggest names as sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers.

Robin and Anna's attendance at the show highlights AQS's commitment to staying informed about industry developments and continuously improving service quality.

Themes for thought

A critical theme from The Cleaning Show this year was a petition being put forward to the government to recognise cleaners as key workers. The petition – part of a wider lobbying campaign - has gained traction within the cleaning industry as professionals understand the vital role that cleaning and hygiene play in maintaining public health, particularly during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

At AQS, we want to support this petition, as we believe that the cleaning and hygiene sector plays a crucial role in protecting public health and ensuring the safety and well-being of people in all kinds of environments. Recognising cleaners as key workers would give them the respect they deserve and help attract and retain skilled professionals in the industry.

The show also focused on other important aspects of the cleaning and hygiene industry, such as environmentally friendly cleaning, with exhibitors showcasing products that minimise waste and embrace sustainability without increasing costs. These included biologically sustainable products such as eco-friendly refuse sacks, PVC-free cling film, and disposable aprons made from scrap plastic.

Exhibitors demonstrated state-of-the-art robotic cleaning equipment and cutting-edge tools that improve efficiency, especially in large-scale operations such as hospitals and stadiums. These innovations might revolutionise the way cleaning professionals work, allowing them to complete tasks more quickly and effectively.

Attendees saw new vacuuming solutions, such as lightweight backpack vacuum cleaners with adjustable suction and extended runtime, suitable for commercial carpet and hard-floor cleaning applications. Industry experts also explored new software designed to streamline administrative tasks, automate workflows, and help businesses run smarter and more efficient operations.

Taking on the best ideas

One product that caught our attention was a chewing gum remover that might revolutionise removing gum from the carpets in the schools AQS service and anywhere else too.

AQS currently uses manual scrapers for this task, but this new tool promises to make the process more efficient and cost-effective. The supplier will be on site demonstrating the product during the Easter holidays at a school where AQS provides cleaning services. That demo will allow the AQS team to assess the tool's potential benefits, and we'll consider implementing it within our operations.

Robin and Anna were pleased to see Darren Crossman, Facilities and Safety Manager at the Principality Stadium, one of our longstanding clients , who took part in the show's panel discussion 'Hygiene Innovation for the Future'. The panel debated the challenges that the industry has faced over the last few years and how manufacturers are stepping up and delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for the sector.

Attending trade shows and exhibitions like The Cleaning Show is essential for companies like us because we need to stay at the cutting edge of developments in the facilities management sector. Trade events are an excellent opportunity to explore emerging trends and best practices that can help improve service delivery and ensure that companies remain competitive.

Ahead of the game

Anna has found that attending such events allows her to find ways to make her education cleaning team more efficient in terms of time and cost. AQS can continuously adapt and enhance its service offerings to better meet clients' needs by staying informed about the latest trends and technology.

"I'm proactive in my approach to product development and innovation", says Anna, "which encourages a culture of continuous improvement within my team. The team stays engaged and motivated when we're at the forefront with technology and best practices because we're providing them with the resources needed to make a difference."

Robin commented on the importance these events have for the company:

"Events like The Cleaning Show serve as a platform for industry professionals to collaborate, share ideas, and engage in networking opportunities. I believe this can lead to forming strategic partnerships and collaborations that can significantly impact the growth and success of companies like ours.

"By staying engaged with industry peers and being informed, we ensure that AQS continues to uphold its reputation for delivering high-quality cleaning services in a rapidly changing industry landscape."

For more details on our work or to chat about specific requirements for a project, please get in touch on 01443 217000 or at info@aqualityservice.co.uk

Top-class cleaning for the nation's students

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 14:32:51 GMT

Cleaning student accommodation is no small undertaking, with thousands of rooms needing preparation for the arrival of new residents in the autumn.

In 2022 for example, AQS Operations Manager for the education sector Anna Psztyk and her team cleaned an astonishing 3,500 rooms, 1,000 kitchens and 500 studios in 12 weeks across four cities!

At AQS, we have continued to build on our very successful student accommodation cleaning programme, working with clients such as iQ Student Accommodation , Hello Student , and Cardiff University .

The importance of preparation and planning

Student accommodation cleaning is a mammoth task, requiring a lot of planning to ensure everything runs smoothly, and there is always a very tight schedule to get thousands of rooms ready for new students keen to make the place their own.

We caught up with Anna on the importance of planning ahead, and how she approaches recruitment in this specialised cleaning sector.

Anna is responsible for organising all the student accommodation cleaning schedules across four cities – Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, and Sheffield. Due to the short space of time between students moving out and the following term’s students moving in, everything needs to be highly organised.

Surveying sites

Anna visits each site personally, speaking with the site manager to make an evaluation of the priorities and assess the scale of the operation. Anna takes down the exact number of dwellings, kitchens, and other areas, noting any areas that need more intensive work.

Good communication with site managers is essential, says Anna:

"We take pride in the excellent relationships we build with the site managers. One of our clients was so pleased with the service we provided for them at the end of the academic year, they are using AQS as their preferred supplier for any additional jobs that come up during the rest of the year. They know

we deliver quality work, and that we keep our promises."

Recruiting right

Finding the right team to work across the student accommodation cleaning programme is often the most time-consuming part of the job. This type of cleaning is particularly challenging, dirty work that may not be suitable for everyone. One incentive, however, is that cleaning operatives have the potential to earn more than that might do for conventional cleaning work, which is an attractive point.

"Ideally, I want to have the team booked in for the summer by the beginning of March," says Anna, "and I use social media to find people and spread the word. I need to find at least 30 people to work in six groups across the different cities."

Although finding the right people can be tricky, Anna always ends up with teams that make AQS proud by doing the job well and representing the company with a courteous nature.

Sourcing suppliers

Even the right people can't do the job without the right tools and products. With this in mind, Anna needs to find suppliers that AQS can trust.

Anna explains: "We need to build good relationships with local suppliers and ensure they can fulfil specific demands we have, such as stock allocations and next-day delivery.

“At AQS, we have a zero-tolerance policy for any supplier who attempts to put safety or quality of work in jeopardy. Our handling procedures simply don’t let that happen, because we have frameworks in place to make sure we use companies with excellent reviews and appropriate accreditations.”

Targeted training

Inductions and training for the student accommodation cleaning operatives takes place in June, and includes all staff being shown how to safely use and dispose of the various products needed for each job. Safety is always paramount, and Anna is proud to say her team know the score:

"The teams I manage are always taught exactly how to use products and understand the risks involved in not following the rules. We are highly disciplined, and we know how to dispose of products we use in an environmentally-friendly way."

Here’s just some of the feedback from one of our happy clients this year:

“This summer across Sheffield has been fantastic. From the early planning sessions we held over Teams and in person in the city, the site teams felt like Tudor had it well under control.

“Communication has been really clear throughout which is key to success in such a busy period.
Please pass on my thanks to Karol and his team as the feedback from Jenni, Rebecca and Rob has been brilliant.” Regional Manager, iQ Student Accommodation

“Anna - I would like to particularly thank you for your constant communication. You always had the numbers at hand each week on our calls and no matter which site we were talking about you always had the information needed at the drop of a hat.” Regional Manager (North West) iQ Student Accommodation

At AQS, we are proactive in establishing new working partnerships, please get in touch for more information about our student accommodation cleaning programme, we'll be happy to help.

Meet the Principality Stadium Events Team

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 16:50:40 GMT

One of the specialist services we offer at AQS is the stadium cleaning required during and after events at major venues.

AQS works at many venues, including the Principality Stadium (originally the Millennium Stadium), Wales’s national stadium. It welcomes 1.3 million people per year, with seating for 74,000 - approximately the whole population of Carlisle. Among other things, that means quite a lot of cleaning and clearing up. The team must work smoothly and efficiently, readying the arena for the next event.

Below, we meet some members of one of our stadium cleaning teams, who tell us a little about their role and what they enjoy about it:

Chantelle

Gareth and Leila

Mercy

Carl

About AQS and the Tudor Group

Our mindset is centred on awareness that we don’t have products, only people, so the only way we can be better than our competitors is to foster better relations with our people, and help them to become better assets for us and for their own career progression.

To find about more about working for AQS, have a look at our current vacancies , or get in touch via our contact page .

All Season Cleaning: Preparing Your Commercial Building for Winter

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 14:47:20 GMT

Our fickle British climate delivered a record-breaking summer, but that’s clearly finished now. Winter is approaching, and it’s better to prepare than to react. Here, we look at some issues brought by the colder season, and how to plan for them.

Additional challenges for the daily clean

We’re going to focus on some quite specific winter problems, but let’s start with the basics. The weather is worse in winter, meaning the problems associated with the ordinary, daily clean are a little tougher. People are more likely to bring mud and snow in with their footwear, and these problems then compound: the visitor with clean feet may pick up the muck from earlier traffic inside your foyer. Not only does that not give a very good first impression, but the person may also transfer the dirt further into the building.

Talk to your cleaning provider about your regular, scheduled services . You might find, for example, that increasing the frequency or duration of cleaning work around lobbies and entrance areas serves to shield the rest of the building from any build-up of winter grime.

And don’t forget that these issues are about more than unsightliness. Mud and slush means slips and trips. Keep employees and guests safe by ensuring nothing builds up in the first place.

Avoiding winter sickness

Viruses live longer when it’s cold. This is one reason colds and flus are seasonal, but actually the main point is that we simply don’t go out as much. The winter population is indoors more, busily passing along any illnesses they have. The daily sanitising of surfaces isn’t extra challenging in winter, but it is extra important. Keep the workplace free of micro-organisms and reduce the inevitable toll of days lost to sickness, and productivity lost to half-well, struggling workers.

Beyond the daily routine: what is a deep clean?

All cleaning is a mixture of light, regular work, and occasional, more intense activity. It’s up to you to settle on a schedule for services such as deep clean and specialist cleaning , but, again, the tendency of workers to get sick in winter makes it extra valuable to add in any action that will help.

An office without furniture or equipment would present a relatively easy cleaning challenge. Real commercial premises are more complicated, and there are many jobs that would just take too long for the daily clean team. A key focus of deep clean is reaching areas not normally visible, such as:

· Under and behind desks and other furniture

· Under and behind equipment and radiators

· Top surfaces of bookshelves, cabinets, and equipment such as aircon

As well as these invisible spots, a deep clean takes a more thorough approach to the areas cleaned daily. Walls, doors, blinds, and hard floors are scrubbed thoroughly rather than wiped or swept. Carpets and curtains get shampoo rather than a surface treatment.

Note that a deep clean involves laborious work such as moving furniture, so it’s usually scheduled out of hours, often over a weekend.

Dust and allergies

The charity Asthma + Lung UK regards the top triggers for asthma and allergies as, “damp and mould, dust mites, pets and cigarette smoke”, and adds: “Address issues like damp and mould which encourage dust mites.” Smoking isn't allowed in any enclosed workplace in the UK, and pets are more likely a home than workplace issue, so damp and mould, and the mites that flourish in dust combined with that environment, are essentially the one driving issue for commercial buildings and allergies.

Heat dries things, so we might assume that the air gets drier once the central heating goes on, but in fact the issue is complex. Windows tend to be shut in winter, meaning moisture has nowhere to go. Also, warmer temperatures can cause water to condense into a liquid rather than dry into a solid.

• Keeping dust to a minimum is extra important once the heating goes on

• Address humidity by prevention (desiccants, dehumidifiers) plus quick action to remove damp from surfaces before mould forms

You may also want to consider a seasonal specialist service – for example, a thorough clean-out of the dust within your ventilation system.

Caring for our largest organ

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it too faces special challenges in winter. We move rapidly from hot to cold environments, which tends to make skin dry, itchy and cracked. It’s harder for an employer to battle this than with allergens, say, but top tips would be:

· Provide employees with moisturiser and plenty of fluids

· Don’t turn the heating up to roasting

Beyond the office walls

Finally, don’t forget the external cleaning implications of winter. Façades are likely to be assailed by worse weather, and any build-up of leaves, water, and the like on rooves or in guttering may cause problems like leaking and water damage.

To discuss your specific winter cleaning and maintenance requirements, please get in touch here.

Providing a specialist service tailored to the job

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 12:07:48 GMT

At the Tudor Group and AQS, we understand and embrace new cleaning developments and technology. For example, for some of our education or commercial cleaning projects, we are exploring the use of state-of-the-art iRobots, to work alongside and assist our operatives. The circular robotic vacuum cleaners are programmed to ‘map’ the room; then placed on the carpet to independently clean, retaining the room’s information for next time. Efficient and perfect for those spaces.

But when it comes to more specialist cleaning, such as deep cleaning commercial kitchens or floor cleaning, the work is undertaken by IS045001 compliant, certified, and highly trained operators using the latest machinery and equipment.

Our mantra is to brighten places where people live, work and play - and we do that by fully considering each of our clients’ different needs: we know that every environment and every job, has specific considerations. We provide cutting-edge tech when it’s needed; and we deliver highly trained specialist cleaning operatives when they are what the job demands.

Here are just a few of the established specialist cleaning services we offer…

Confined spaces work

This is specialist work, requiring confined space awareness training to ensure all procedures are followed correctly, and relevant industry standards are applied. Depending on the requirements of the job, our operatives are often needed to physically climb into a space, such as an oven, in order to clean it.

Once inside the oven, the team of two (for safety) will scrape it clean. Using nothing more technical than a metal scraper in a dry environment, mastering working in specialist PPE (Hazmat suits, bespoke ventilator facemasks, headlights, gloves, safety boots, CO2 and gas detectors), with a mobile ventilation system blowing fresh air through the space, is complex and cannot be undertaken lightly without serious welfare considerations.

Duct cleaning is another example of where this specialist training is so important. Keeping ductwork clean and free of dust and grease gives our clients peace of mind that they are compliant with the high industry standards and also providing a healthy and safe working environment for their staff.

Working at height

For high ‘reach and wash’ jobs, such as gutter or canopy cleaning, our operatives use cherry pickers or mobile scaffold towers. To meet the regulations which protect them, they must have completed IPAF training for working at height using powered access equipment, or MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Working Platforms) and be PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association) accredited.

Strip and seal floors

Maintaining and restoring flooring in heavily trafficked areas is important, both to protect it from spillages and to increase its lifespan. Ensuring that the right strip and seal solutions are applied, and that the correct processes are followed, is essential to keep the floor in top condition; each job is carefully assessed by our highly trained team to ensure that any potentially hazardous substances are removed, and any other restriction or limitations have been considered.

If carried out thoroughly and safely, under expert supervision, a strip and seal process can transform commercial flooring and reduce overall wear and tear.

Industrial high-level vacuum

For incredibly dusty areas, such as the steelwork at recent project at the Harper Adams Agri-Tech building , we use the high-level vacuum-cleaning system SpaceVac, which allows our operatives to access hard to reach areas such as warehouse gutters or pipes.

The safe and efficient method of cleaning means that our team can easily reach areas up to 20 metres above the ground, with no additional equipment such as scaffolding needed.

Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)

Our solutions are always tailored to our clients’ requirements, and in the case of our student accommodation projects, shower heads must be cleaned regularly - often monthly - to make sure they are clear of the Legionella bacteria that can cause lung infection and pneumonia.

We undertake routine inspections, in addition to ‘flushing’ the system (turning on taps when they’re not being frequently used), to ensure the students are safe and our clients are compliant.

As Alan Gibbon, AQS Regional Operations Director, explains:” We take pride in analysing every single job and working out exactly what that project needs for us to deliver the best possible results. Our operatives are highly trained and expert in every conceivable cleaning scenario, which is what keeps us relevant - and in demand - as a company.”

For more information, or discuss specific requirements for a project, please contact us on 01443 217000 or info@aqualityservice.co.uk

Cleanroom cleaning: a job for the specialists

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 08:10:30 GMT

Our cleaning services - commercial to industrial - are already extensive. From daily office cleaning to deep cleaning, sanitising procedures to event cleaning, stadia cleaning to supportive FM services, we have built a reputation for being one of the most reliable, responsive and comprehensive contractors in Wales and the south west of England.

And now we are going even further, developing our expertise in the extremely specialist area of cleanrooms.

We have an exciting new contract in the medical sector, building on the services we deliver for an existing client that we cover multiple sites for, and we are getting ready to undertake this detailed and important work.

What are cleanrooms?

Cleanrooms are a controlled, contaminate-free environment, typically used for scientific research or manufacturing, and therefore have to be 100% sterile with absolutely no foreign bodies or bacteria present, and must adhere to industry-specific and international standards.

Cleanrooms are classifed according to the number and size of particles found in the laboratory’s air and assigned a rating by the International Standards Organization (ISO). Standards range from class 1 to class 9; class 1 being the ‘cleanest’ cleanroom and class 9 being the ‘dirtiest’.

Vital training

Training, then, is key. It is vital to get it right and the process is complex. Currently, our client’s teams are cleaning the rooms themselves after weekly production, which means they have less time to do their important work. We will be taking over those duties soon - but not before our teams have completed the training and are competent enough to ensure the rooms are completely sterile environments.

The training

We are undertaking a number of training days over six weeks. A team of specialist operatives - a mix of new and current staff - clean with the production team for a number of hours every week, training on the job, and at the end of every shift the areas are swabbed to make sure they are bacteria-free.

A crucial part of the training is the work that goes into understanding the cleaning chemicals that are used, too. The solutions are dependent on the individual cleanroom standards, with different materials requiring different solutions. The solutions need to be changed at regular intervals because bacteria can change and adapt to certain chemicals. They therefore need to be changed at different intervals: on a weekly basis, we’ll change one element, and then we’ll change another every month.

There is a lot to understand when tackling cleanrooms; the cleaning needs depend on the specific requirements, the ISO rating and the frequency of use of the cleanroom. At AQS, we have experience in cleanroom cleaning and fully understand what is required — but as with every highly-skilled service, each environment is different, and that difference is vital to acknowledge. Therefore, training has to be specific for every cleanroom environment and grade because we aim to create an audit-ready space every time.

The challenges of specialised training

The challenges are great. The teams have to wear hazmat suits and PPE while cleaning, which can be uncomfortable and physically demanding, and means the number of operatives prepared to work a five-hour shift can be limited.

The training is also so specific that if one of the operatives went off sick, replacing that person would not be straightforward. The replacement would not only have to be trained, but trained for that particular facility and the specifics of their cleanroom.

Standard cleanroom protocol means that all personal items such as watches, jewelry and wallets must be removed and left outside the cleanroom to reduce the potential for contamination. There must be no eating or drinking, and no cosmetics of any kind can be worn, including make-up, nail varnish, perfume, and aftershave.

In addition, before every session, each operative needs to sign a medical declaration; there are many health issues that could mean our teams are denied access to the cleanroom. For instance, an eye infection, asthma sufferers, or certain types of cancers, could mean there is a risk of polluting the sterile environment.

More than your average job

This is not an average, straightforward, cleaning job. There is much work and planning involved to safeguard us, the company and the end-user of the products. Once AQS take over full responsibility, the job will not be complete until one of our client’s supervisors has conducted a quality inspection to assess the cleaning standards and signed it off. On each and every occasion.

If bacteria were found, the facility would have to close for an entire day whilst the situation was rectified, losing the client valuable production time.

It is really exciting for us at AQS to continuing building on this specialism: the disciplines and the work itself is obviously incredibly important. Kate Parkhouse, our Contracts Manager, explains: “The training standards, the cleaning standards, the end-result standards are high for very good reason; this job takes our responsibility up to another level.”

Alan Gibbon, Regional Operations Director comments: “We’re always delighted when an existing client asks us to expand our service offering for them, in this case our client has seen how we operate and knows the level of care and attention that our teams will bring to the work. We’re thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to further learn and develop our skills.”

To find out more about the specialist services we offer, get in touch with the team on 01443 217000 or email info@aqualityservice.co.uk

The AQS summer of fun!

lauren@aqualityservice.co.uk (Lauren Lamorte) — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 11:03:39 GMT

The AQS teams have a busy summer ahead. And we cannot wait.

This summer feels like our first proper summer in years, and we have to say, it feels great to be back event-cleaning for this long-awaited season.

And what a season! On Friday June 17th and Saturday June 18th, Stereophonics - supported by Tom Jones and Feeder - played at the Principality Stadium , one of our main clients, in Cardiff. The all-Welsh line-up made our hearts beat proudly!

On Thursday June 30th, German hard rock band Rammstein will be playing at this brilliant venue, too.

If something gentler and soulful is more to your taste, another of our clients, Chepstow Racecourse in Monmouthshire, is hosting Ladies Evening on Friday July 8th — starring Paloma Faith. We have been cleaning at Chepstow for over 10 years now and have enjoyed many fantastic artists, including UB40, Simply Red and Madness. We’re looking forward to the Paloma Faith gig just as much.

Mellow in July, but speeding up again in August with FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain returning to the Principality Stadium on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th. This weekend will be extra special because Britain’s biggest arena motorsport event will be back after a three-year absence, and the Sunday races host the second round of the FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship.

A summer of thrills - and no doubt a few spills - and we’re so happy to be part of it. At AQS, we know the standard of event-cleaning, from stadia to racecourses, directly impacts on the visitor experience. With over 350 events attended by 18 million spectators under our belt, we have built an unrivalled expertise in this exciting sector. This is down to our skilled, professional, dedicated operatives and staff, so a huge thank you to them for their loyal and committed work.

If you would like to join our event-cleaning teams, please view our job vacancies page. And have a great summer!

Meet Regional Operations Director Alan Gibbon

lauren@aqualityservice.co.uk (Lauren Lamorte) — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:55:11 GMT

We were delighted to welcome Alan Gibbon to the role of Regional Operations Director for the Tudor Group earlier this year. Having worked across many large global accounts, Alan brings a wealth of expertise in operational management.

Alan’s feet have barely touched the ground since joining Tudor Group in March, and he is already busy, working closely with our team and clients in South Wales.

Commenting on his first few weeks in the role, Alan says: “One of the things that was attractive to me about working for Tudor Group was their team spirit – there is a real family feel, a sense that they look after their people, which is very much aligned with my own values. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the team and building a rapport with them, and having spent a lot of time travelling, for me it’s also wonderful to be back in South Wales and working within the local region again.”

Alan will play a key role within the Tudor Group leadership team, bringing to life our core values: safety, quality, passion, accountability and fairness. Alan’s responsibilities will include overseeing the delivery of a range of contracts – from stadia to schools – managing client and stakeholder relationships whilst ensuring compliance and adherence to company policies.

To manage this effectively, Alan will not be desk-bound; the role will mean he is frequently out on site with our team: “I will be developing a good understanding of our contracts and identifying any potential challenges before they arise, so we can work out the best solution for our clients,” Alan explains, “it’s always nice to have the opportunity for a first-hand conversation with clients as to how else we can support their objectives.”

Championing our teams’ mental health and wellbeing

In addition to working with clients and supporting staff operationally on a day-to-day basis, Alan is a trained Mental Health First Aider ( Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England ), and here to support our team if they feel they need to talk to someone.

Alan explains: “In my previous role I was very involved in a mental health awareness network; I subsequently took the Mental Health First Aider course, which allowed me to hold initial group sessions with staff, which then became bi-weekly or monthly 1:1 sessions, or ‘surgeries’. I had the tools to point people in the right direction for whatever guidance they needed, and for some people that was a massive support mechanism.

“People soak things up, and after two years of the pandemic and the impact that has had on everyone, even having a chat for ten minutes can be beneficial. It’s important to have open conversations with staff – and clients – to ensure a good mutual understanding. What might seem trivial to one person, could have a detrimental effect on another person’s wellbeing.”

Supporting employee engagement and welfare

Alan’s passion for supporting the team’s mental health and welfare has meant that, with his feet barely under the table, he has already put in place a new mobile team who are taking the lead on ensuring employee wellbeing.

Explaining more about the mobile team, Alan says: “Bringing the new mobile unit onboard means that we can provide more support to our staff where they need it. As well as ensuring health and safety compliance, and identifying any training or development needs, the supervisors within the mobile team will be visiting sites and running staff welfare engagement 1:1 sessions. Ultimately, our team is at the heart of our business and it’s vital that we look after them and that they know they are valued.

“We want to ensure there is a support mechanism for our teams on the ground, we need to encourage people that it’s good to talk. Our supervisory unit is visiting all sites and currently giving my details as a point of contact, so that I can assist with any issues they might be having, but ultimately, we plan to train all of our Contracts Managers in practical mental health first aid skills and that’s something I’m very proud to be part of.”

Fabien Caqueret, Managing Director at Tudor Group, adds: “We’re delighted that Alan has joined the Tudor Group family, bringing his extensive experience and knowledge to the team during an exciting period of growth.”

If you have a specific cleaning requirement that you would like to discuss, or if you would like to understand more about the way we work with customers, please get in touch on 01443 217000 or email info@aqualityservice.co.uk .

Delivering an exceptional visitor experience at Cardiff Arms Park

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 10:31:36 GMT

Situated In the heart of the Welsh capital, Cardiff Arms Park is the home of Cardiff Rugby, with a central location next to the Principality Stadium.

Originally made up of both cricket and rugby grounds, the Cardiff Arms Park has a long and varied history; having recorded its first spectators in 1881, the park hosted the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and in 1966 held the first ever floodlit game.

In 1969 the previous cricket ground made way for the present Cardiff Arms Park, and the original rugby ground became known as the National Stadium, which in 1999 was redeveloped for the Rugby World Cup and the Millennium Stadium – also known as the Principality Stadium.

Understanding the needs of a busy venue

With a capacity of over 10,000, Cardiff Arms Park is a popular venue not only for rugby games but also for corporate and community activities and events. With so many spectators and visitors coming through their doors, the stadium management team needed to ensure they were working with a cleaning business that understood the specific challenges associated with stadium cleaning, such as working antisocial hours, or the demand for a higher volume of staff.

At AQS, we know that different events pose different challenges, and ensure that Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS) are completed for each occasion to ensure the cleaning programme is completely aligned to the event’s specific requirements. In doing this, we can be sure that all requirements have been correctly assessed and that our teams are prepared for every eventuality.

Stadium cleaning is a huge undertaking, involving everything from litter picking to cleaning and sanitising seating, benches and walkways, washrooms, changing rooms and exterior areas. But having cleaned up after more than 18 million spectators over the years, we are proud to say we are experts in this area.

Offering a rounded service

Commenting on the service we provide at Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Rugby Stadium Manager Jamie Muir explains: “I’ve been Stadium Manager at Cardiff Arms Park for seven years, and when I joined the team AQS had already been working with us for several years, looking after our match day cleans.

“During the time we’ve worked with AQS, the services they provide us with have expanded,” Jamie continues,” they now look after our daily cleaning needs too - all areas of cleaning in fact, including our waste removal and ‘one-off’ cleans such as deep cleaning the kitchen, or cleaning the duct work and canopies. AQS work with all the stadia in Cardiff and offer a very well-rounded service.”

We have two resident AQS cleaners on site at the stadium throughout the week - a morning cleaner responsible for cleaning the club house, function room and bar, and an evening cleaner whose responsibility is to clean the offices, changing rooms, medical rooms and bar.

On match days, cleaning the stadium is more of a mass operation, with operatives performing pre-match, during, and after match cleaning. We bring in teams to look after different jobs; one team might go in immediately after the match to begin the litter picking, followed by another team responsible for mopping, and a third team who will clean ‘behind the scenes’ areas, such as toilets and changing rooms.

Jamie comments: “Ultimately, because AQS are able to keep on top of the cleaning throughout the day, it means that our overall post-match cleaning time is reduced.”

Working together to develop a long-lasting partnership

When it comes to delivering an exceptional and effective cleaning service, we take pride in the fact that our clients think of us not just as a supplier, but as a partner.

“A large part of my deputy Kerry’s role is around cleaning and hygiene on site,” explains Jamie, “so she works closely with the AQS team and is quite specific about the jobs that need doing; but AQS are very good at coming back to us and saying ‘we think it could be done in a different way’ - the operatives they have on the ground are brilliant, they know the stadium inside and out - probably better than me! They know the ‘weird and wonderful’ aspects, the areas they need to do extra work on. That hands-on experience really is invaluable.”

Covid-19 has had an impact on all areas of cleaning and hygiene, with most settings introducing additional or more intense cleaning and sanitising programmes. Jamie explains how the pandemic affected Cardiff Arms Park: “Covid has really brought all the stadiums in Cardiff closer together- we’ve learnt a lot and Robin [Kinrade, AQS Director] has been involved in most of that process.

“We worked really well with AQS throughout the pandemic, I’ve leaned on Robin a lot. There was a point when we were a support mechanism for the hospital and Robin worked very closely with me to make sure we could manage - AQS really stepped up. Ultimately, we were able to leave the cleaning and hygiene elements up to AQS, and for them to come to us with a plan that worked.”

Chris Williams, AQS Business Support Manager and the primary day to day contact for Jamie and his team, comments: “We know that the service we provide has a direct impact on the experience the visitors have when they come to the park, which is why we spend time assessing requirements and ensuring that all our teams are suitably trained and able to deliver the high standards that AQS have come to be known for. We’re very proud to have been working with the team at Cardiff Arms Park for over ten years and look forward to working together for many more to come.”

To find out more about our stadium and events cleaning services, or how we work with other clients, please get in touch on 01443 217000 or complete our form for a free quote.

Different cleaning environments

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 14:49:51 GMT

From schools to stadia, we analyse each cleaning environment, so you get the best possible result

People might have a perception that cleaning is cleaning, no matter the client type. But in reality, no two cleaning jobs are the same to us because we know that every cleaning job has its own specific requirements.

Our mantra is to brighten places where people live, work and play - and we do that by fully considering each of our clients’ unique needs: for every environment has specific considerations.

To illustrate this, we have taken two ‘opposite’ venues - schools and stadia - and explored how we approach each of these very different cleaning projects.

How to select a team to clean each venue?

Our cleaning staff are obviously highly professional and experienced, but in the case of school cleaning staff, they are also Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked - so a prospective employee’s criminal history can be known. This is vital when dealing with children’s safety.

For Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools, we are even more particular in that our staff have to also have had some experience working in the SEN environment, have to be trustworthy, and have to be able to work to high standards.

Our stadia cleaning staff are obviously just as conscientious, but it can be an area where it is possible to use more of our younger staff, which helps with availability. With stadium cleans, because of the size of the venue, we need to ensure we have a high volume of staff - and this weekend work attracts a lot of young people. We pay the National Living Wage, even for 16-year-olds, so this level of pay is very attractive and helps us to get reliable, responsible staff. For stadia cleaning, our staff do not have to have any previous cleaning experience and specific training is given to the teams on the day.

When are these different projects assessed and cleaned?

For both venues, it makes sense to assess the cleaning job and write the Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) when the buildings are empty. It is far easier then to identify all potential risks to our cleaning staff and all other building users: from slips and trips caused by falling on spillages or tripping over loose cables, for example, to the dangers of improper use of heavy cleaning machinery, to identifying fire hazards and fire escape access.

In most cases, it is preferable to clean schools when the children have finished for the day. This is actually advised by the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) - the quality standard for providers of general advice services in the areas of social, welfare and public law - in the case of SEN schools, because the loud noises caused by cleaning can startle and disturb the children.

For all schools, then, the ideal cleaning times would be between 3.30pm and 8pm when the schools are closed.

Cleaning times for stadia are more site and event specific: depending on the end-time of the concert/match/event taking place. Generally speaking, it is most efficient to clean up after everyone has left the stadium, but again the requirements are assessed and tailored to each individual situation. For example, an event such as the Six Nations rugby championship will involve a detailed and structured cleaning programme over a number of days.

Once the event has finished, our teams come in. After a match, we have a team that will do the Saturday night litter-picking shift; then a whole new Sunday shift team to litter-pick the rest of the stadium; and then the team that does the mopping; and finally, the team that cleans the bars, toilets, and changing room areas.

What kind of cleaning would each venue require?

Our process is really about matching the recommended activities to the need as identified for that individual location.

Whether daily cleans or more occasional deep cleans, the cleaning of all schools is thorough. We have a comprehensive cleaning service to cover every cleaning aspect of schools: from improving hygiene levels in classrooms, washrooms, and communal areas, to ensuring kitchens are spotless, to litter-picking and graffiti-removal around school grounds.

Stadia cleaning is generally a faster operation and undertaken by larger teams. In addition to collecting litter, mopping, and cleaning the bars and toilets, we can clean large areas - floors to façades - quickly and effectively using high-tech, high-powered, machines and water jets.

And for every venue, schools to stadia, we have our Back to Business programme which, as a one-off sanitisation project or part of an on-going cleaning regime, can help restore your company, employees, childrens’ or customers’ confidence post-Covid. Using 30 years’ experience and a six-step approach:

Deep-cleaning and sanitising
Specialist products
Specialist equipment
Trained personnel
Post-clean training
Post-clean certification

Back to Business makes everyone feel safe.

David Banks, Senior Client Relationship Manager at Tudor Group, comments: ‘At Tudor Group, we fully consider every aspect of a venue - from the size of the building to the type of occupants - when taking on any - and every - cleaning project. It’s important to do this so our clients - and their employees and users - are safe and happy. Our vision is to brighten places where people live, work and play. In order to do this, we demonstrate that we care for our clients, colleagues, and communities. It’s one of the reasons our clients consider us a partner and not just a supplier.’

Our cleaning staff all adhere to the standards set by the worldwide cleaning industry association, the ISSA, and the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc).

All of our specialist cleaning is undertaken by ISO45001-certified and highly trained operators using the latest machinery and equipment. Our teams are equipped with the necessary safety clothing and materials to work on-site. 

For more information, please contact us on 01443 217000 or info@aqualityservice.co.uk

People power: 3 critical factors for successful partnerships

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 16:02:36 GMT

Finding a commercial cleaning company that will not only deliver a superior quality of work, but collaborate with you as a partner, means more than just finding a company at the right price point.

Effective communication between client and supplier, and supplier to cleaning operative, is a key factor in developing lasting good relations, something that is supported by the supplier’s internal culture, training, and management.

Attracting – and retaining – employees that share our hardworking ethic and diligence is crucial. Often one of the challenges within the cleaning sector is the high turnover of staff and indeed contracts. At AQS we know that having the right people in place can make or break client – supplier relations, which is one of the reasons our clients consider us a partner, and not just a supplier.

We caught up with Kate Murray, Contracts Manager at AQS, to find out more about her role, how she recruits the right team, and how she keeps them motivated.

1. Effective communication

Kate explains more about how we work with clients: “We believe that the only way to really judge the effectiveness of our service is to understand the client’s broader objectives. It could be new business growth, staff retention or price increases, and so at the beginning of every job, we meet with the client to walk through the requirements and discuss specifics.

“I spend a lot of time with each client before we get to recruitment stage, to understand everything about the site and exactly what they’re looking for. There will be a site visit where we begin to make a specification, and I ask lot of questions! It’s also important at this stage to gather any other essential information about the site: for instance, some of the factories have specific restrictions around working hours, or age restrictions. Every building is independently assessed to ensure we tailor a cleaning programme aligned to its specific requirements.

“Once we’ve completed the site visit, I can begin to recruit the team according to the specification.”

2. Recruitment and training

Cleaning and FM teams are often familiar faces within a workplace, and one concern clients might have when taking on a new provider is losing these skills and knowledge. However, in many cases a Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) will apply, and employees are transferred to us when the new contract begins.

We are committed to making a long-term investment in our people, and as Recognised Service Providers for the Living Wage Foundation , we champion the real Living Wage, giving clients the choice to implement a wage which meets everyday needs and the increasing cost of living, not just the government minimum.

On sites where there are not existing teams in place, Kate comments: “Recruitment really varies from site to site. I look after twenty-one sites. On one of them we deliver over four hundred hours of cleaning a week and there are fourteen cleaners on site, many of which have been there for more than ten years.

“We make sure that all our staff are fully vetted and trained in line with the recommendations set out by the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), and each operative goes through a thorough induction in which they learn about the company, our customers, and specific cleaning methodology.

“I also try to get to know a bit more about them personally, and their background,” Kate continues, “On their first shift I will often work alongside them, or they will shadow another cleaning operative, so that they’re not alone on their first day. We always make sure they have company on that first day as it’s horrible to be on your own in a strange environment.”

3. Supervision and culture

Kate explains more about how she manages her team once they are in place: “A few days after an operative starts, I’ll make a site visit and do a Service Level Agreement (SLA) inspection with them, measuring their work against the agreed KPIs, ensure everything is at the standard it needs to be, and offer further training based on that. It gives the team insight into what I’m looking for via the SLA and gives them the opportunity to ask for any specific training they might need.

“I tend to visit once a week to begin with, but once I know they’re happy and they know what they’re doing, I may reduce the frequency of my visits. We set up WhatsApp groups for all our sites, so the team know they can contact me any time. We have a nice relationship.

“I think because we’re not afraid to get stuck in and get our hands dirty, it makes us more approachable. Because the team know we’ll roll our sleeves up and get involved, it’s a very open culture and definitely helps to build the relationship we have with our cleaning teams.”

At AQS, we take immense pride in our staff, and its’s a fact that employees who are managed well will not only be happier and more fulfilled, but are likely to be more productive, and more motivated to find ways to continuously improve performance. As we say at AQS: “The strength of a good team is each individual member, the strength of each member is the team.”

AQS is part of The Tudor Group, a highly successful cleaning company, servicing clients all over the UK, working with national hotel chains, restaurants, educational institutions, and transport providers, to name a few. To see how we can help you, please contact 01443 217000 .

Bright Space for Bright Minds

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 11:05:13 GMT

Despite the ongoing disruption within the education sector caused by the pandemic, last year UCAS reported a higher level of university applications than ever before [1] , with a record number of students due to start college or university this autumn.

Universities across the UK have worked hard to blend online learning technology with traditional lectures, with some universities even moving all their lectures online. But understandably many students want - and need - the full university experience, with access to tutors and fellow students both online and in person.

Temporary accommodation is in demand, for students studying through the summer or starting university in September.

But when it comes to the end of the summer or academic year, and time for students to leave, student accommodation providers need to be sure their properties can be cleaned quickly and thoroughly, in time for the next tenant. As Covid infection rates continue to rise, the need for effective cleaning and sanitisation is more important than ever. Anna Psztyk , Contract/Project Manager at AQS, who looks after all our student housing projects, explains in more detail what this involves:

“When it comes to student accommodation cleaning, there’s a lot of planning involved! For most of our clients there is a fast turnaround, so we work with them to agree timescales and a scope of work that’s tailored to suit their requirements.

“For example, one of our clients in Cardiff rents their rooms to English Language students over the summer months, for which we provide a regular scheduled cleaning service - a member of our team visits each flat once a week to clean the kitchen, bathrooms, and wipe and sanitise everything including the hallways and staircases.

“When the English language students leave in September, we have around ten days to clean and prepare the rooms before the University students arrive. In the case of our client in Cardiff, that can mean cleaning up to 176 flats… or 1,056 rooms! It’s a busy time, with between eight to ten people in our cleaning team, and each member taking on one flat per day.”

As has been the case for many sectors, the Cleaning and Hygiene industry has been affected by labour shortages caused by Brexit and the pandemic, so recruitment can be challenging. But the way we work at the Tudor Group means that we can be sure to attract the right cleaning operatives: Anna and our other Contract Managers personally meet with every client to ensure a full and detailed understanding of the specific requirements of the site before recruiting their teams.

Commenting on how she attracts and manages these teams, Anna says:“We take pride in the relationships that we’ve built up with our clients over the years, and only want to deploy teams that share our work ethic and who we know will deliver the high standards that we’ve come to be known for.

“Student accommodation cleaning can be tough – sometimes rooms won’t have been cleaned for almost a year – so I use a ‘lottery’ system to make sure the flats are allocated fairly amongst the team. We pay by the room, rather than the hour, which works as an incentive for the team and as a result means that some team members earn much more than the Real Living Wage.

“We also allow our operatives some flexibility in their working hours, so they can start earlier or later depending on what suits them. I’m their first point of contact and want to make sure that everyone in the team is happy. I’m very hands-on, training the teams - often working alongside too - providing them with products and equipment, and will personally check their work when they’ve finished. Our standards are very high, and each site has completely different requirements, so we check absolutely everything, which is why our projects are successful and our clients are happy with our work.”

Our dedicated student accommodation Contract/Project Managers provide a personal level of service for our clients, giving them the peace of mind that their property is in capable hands and their requirements will not only be met, but exceeded. With over 90 years of experience within the cleaning and facilities management industry, there’s nothing that our teams haven’t dealt with!

Find out more about how we work and the services we can provide to ensure a safe, brighter, and healthier building, improving the student experience and ultimately, your reputation.

If you’re making plans for your student accommodation cleaning and would like to have a chat about our approach, get in touch on 01443 217000 or complete our online form for a free quote.

[1] https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/more-students-ready-take-next-step-despite-pandemic

Our reliable teams can help relieve some pressure

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 09:13:57 GMT

After what has been a challenging eighteen months, many industries are still suffering with staff shortages, potentially impacting our recovery from Covid-19.

The rate of vacancies has risen dramatically over the last six months, with a recent survey from the British Cleaning Council (BCC) showing an increase of over 200 per cent in some cases. Whereas historically the cleaning and hygiene industry has been able to recruit workers of all nationalities, many businesses are now finding that the previous volume of overseas workers is proving difficult to replace with UK nationals.

The pandemic has highlighted more than ever the need for good standards of cleanliness and hygiene, and these staff shortages threaten to hamper the good progress that organisations are making to protect the public from the virus.

To help them address their struggles, we’ve been contacted by a number of venues who, like many other sectors, are finding it difficult to recruit for their in-house cleaning teams. We are glad to have been able to provide them with both short- and long-term solutions, to ensure that they still have trained and professional cleaning operatives protecting their customers.

How we support our staff

Our staff are the core of our business, and focusing on sustainable, ethical employment has enabled us to support our clients with the support they need.

We want to beat the poor perception that the cleaning industry can have – notoriously high employee turnover, long hours, poorly paid – and the resulting stigma that puts people off. Instead, here at AQS, many of our team have worked with us for years, which we can attribute to the support, training and opportunities that we offer to all our staff, as well as recognising them with a decent wage.

We’re part of the Living Wage Foundation , which found that 93% of university students want to work for accredited employers, and are proud to have Recognised Service Provider status, which means we are committed to paying all directly employed members of staff the real Living Wage.

Diana, a cleaning operative who has worked with us for over ten years, comments: “Working at AQS suits me as it provides me with great hours which allow me to balance my life outside work and enjoy some quality time with my children as well as earning a full-time wage”.

Having worked for some of the larger national companies, our Operations Manager Steve says, “It is a pleasure to work at AQS as they put their staff and clients above everything else.”

Our Contracts Manager Lee O’Shea explains what he enjoys about working with us: “At AQS everyone works as a team and supports one another which is this industry is a massive help. We have a fantastic client base with a great variation of sites, which makes my job interesting and enjoyable”.

Introducing our mobile team

In addition to our contracts team, we employ a ‘mobile rapid response’ team offering a high level of flexibility for our clients.

Our mobile team is indispensable. Covering all types of cleaning, from office to industrial, the members of the team are incredibly versatile, diligent and can always be deployed to a job quickly.

With a diverse customer base servicing clients such as national hotel chains, restaurants, educational facilities and block management companies, as well as public sector contracts for council buildings and transport providers, we tailor our services to meet our client’s specific requirements.

Our mobile team’s services are available 24/7 to meet the operational requirements of your business, with recurrent or one off servicing options available.

Commenting on the work that the mobile team has undertaken for one of our clients at Pentwyn Leisure Centre, “We just want to say how pleased we are at Pentwyn Leisure Centre. Your team are reliable, hard-working and nothing is too much bother. They have a wonderful standard of work and we are really happy with the service”.

If you are based in Cardiff or the surrounding area and looking for support with cleaning or housekeeping, talk to us about how we can help provide a solution. Hopefully that would take some of the pressure off.

Find out more about the services we provide for our clients, from commercial cleaning to stadiums and specialist FM services, or to speak to us about your specific requirements, get in touch .

Cleaning through COVID

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:06:42 GMT

Cleaning through COVID: is your workplace safe to reopen?

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of cleanliness and sanitisation, changing the way many businesses see hygiene forever. Prior to the pandemic, many companies saw cleaning services as a finishing touch to their offices, yet now, it plays an integral part in ensuring the safety of all employees and visitors. Whilst many industries have felt the effects of the pandemic, how has this change in attitudes fared for the way in which we clean?

From ‘nice-to-have’ to ‘must-have’

The ongoing fight against COVID-19 has proven one thing: cleaning is vital. The implementation of government guidelines and legislation around hygiene has meant that many businesses have had to integrate enhanced cleaning measures into their daily functions.

As we shift to a ‘new normal’, it is important that we do not overlook the enhanced cleaning measures that help safeguard us. Many businesses are now adjusting their ways of working and placing emphasis on the health and safety of all users, with appropriate cleaning measures playing a key role. Specific cleaning-related health and safety measures vary from industry to industry, but AQS believes that there are three critical areas that are integral to safely reopening businesses across all sectors.

1. Identifying Touchpoints

Items and surfaces touched by multiple individuals require more frequent cleaning and disinfection than normal. Before reopening the doors to your workplace, it is essential that a risk assessment is carried out, highlighting areas that require deep cleaning. This deep cleaning should be carried out at a minimum of twice a day, first using a detergent to remove organic matter such as dust or bodily fluids, and then with a disinfectant, to kill pathogens.

Many touchpoints, such as door handles, taps and kitchen surfaces are found in most businesses, however, there may be less obvious areas to look out for, based on your workplace.

Specific touchpoints to look out for in your business:

University accommodation

· Fridges

· Cupboards

· Window handles

· Light switches

· Microwaves

· Changing rooms

· Intercom systems

Hospitality

· Work surfaces

· Equipment

· Utensils

· Bar taps

· Ice scoops

· Serving trays

· Lifts

Offices

· Desks

· Watercoolers

· Printers

· Phones

· Kettles

· Machinery

· Touchscreens

To reduce the risk of spreading bacteria and reduce time spent cleaning, some touchpoints can be adapted or eliminated. Throughout all buildings, non-fire doors can be propped open to eradicate the need for them to be touched. In bathrooms, paper towels or electric dryers should be introduced, to prevent multiple people from reusing the same towels. Where possible, motion sensor flushing systems, taps and soap dispensers should also be utilised to limit the number of touchpoints.

Workers’ need to touch multiple surfaces or objects can also be reduced by allocating specific work areas to specific people or by creating small groups that can work independently on tasks.

2. Signage and Training

Educating staff and customers is critical to ensuring measures are correctly implemented and guidelines are adhered to. It is essential all employees receive clear instructions and understand the importance of carrying out thorough cleaning safely. Ensure your staff are informed of any changes to cleaning regimes, explaining the reasoning behind them – allowing people to understand the significance of the changes can help reduce the chances of uncooperative staff, whilst reassuring them you are prioritising their safety.

If you are working with a cleaning company, you should encourage your employees to co-operate with the cleaners, by ensuring surfaces are left clear at the end of the day, allowing for deep cleaning to be carried out more efficiently. Posters and signage can also be introduced, to inform both staff and customers that regular cleaning is taking placing, and that they should co-operate with cleaners where necessary.

Signage also plays a key part in helping your business stay safe. Regular reminders and signs should be displayed, reminding both employees and customers to uphold hygiene standards. Sanitation points should be clearly signposted, and floor markings should be utilised to ensure physical social distancing and facilitate good hygiene. The introduction of signposted one-way systems can help reduce footfall in areas, potentially preventing those areas from becoming deep clean hotspots.

3. Rigorous Cleaning Processes

A regimented and thorough cleaning process is pinnacle to ensuring the safety of employees, customers and visitors in your workplace. As government restrictions ease, it is of utmost importance that the right processes are in place before we open our doors to the community.

Before opening your sites, you should carry out the necessary risk assessments and consult the government guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings outside the home . Particular steps in your cleaning process will be dictated by your industry, but all sectors should assess all their sites before reopening, specifically checking for things such as whether ventilation systems require servicing or adjusting. Plenty of hand sanitiser should be provided in all venues, for both staff and visitors, in-line with requirements for reopening after prolonged closure.

When it comes to determining a set cleaning process for your workplace, there are many things to consider. AQS has summarised a few key points that should be included as part of every cleaning process:

· Ensure any busy areas or touchpoints are deep cleaned, at least twice a day

· Check local waste carrier services are running and available to you

· Check all food preparation areas are clean and fully disinfected, before and after each use. This includes work surfaces, equipment and utensils

· Ensure you are cleaning with the correct products: detergent and disinfectant

· Ensure you are cleaning more frequently, depending on the number of people using the space

· Consider the use of fog, mist, vapour or UV treatments for cleaning and disinfecting larger spaces

With ever-changing guidelines and legislation, and the daily requirements of running your businesses, it can be difficult to implement and maintain an appropriate a cleaning processes that meets all the necessary safety standards. AQS has over 30 years’ experience in delivering high-quality cleaning and facilities management services. We see ourselves as partners to our customers and are committed to delivering the highest standard of service, safeguarding your workplace, so you can focus on growing your business.

For more information on how our services can help you restore business confidence to your employees, customers and wider community, click here .

For any enquiries, contact our team on info@aqualityservice.co.uk .

Hospitality Cleaning - 4 Events in 4 Days!

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 13:00:02 GMT

This past week has seen a real sense of normality starting to return and here at AQS we like to “take the bull by the horns”. Over the past week our team have cleaned up after rugby players, spectators, cricket stars and even horses just to name a few…

Here has been our 4 Events in 4 Days

Wednesday 7 ^th July

Rugby Six Nations Wales U’20s Vs England U’20’s – Cardiff Arms Park

Thursday 8 ^th July

Cricket England Vs Pakistan ODI – Sophia Gardens

Friday 9 ^th July

Ladies Evening – Chepstow Racecourse

Saturday 10 ^th July

Rugby Summer Internationals Wales Vs Argentina – Principality Stadium.

Event cleaning takes a lot of preparation beforehand to ensure that we consistently provide a quality service for our customers. This starts from recruitment, ensuring that we hire dedicated, hard working and like minded people and leads to pre, during and after cleans as well as the after care we supply to ensure that our clients expectations are met.

For all of these events our team started from early in the morning with a full pre clean including sanitisation adhering to COVID 19 rules, followed through with cleaning throughout each event including tasks such as litter picking and washroom cleaning, finished with the after clean in the evenings/nights which includes task such as decontamination fogging.

From our team behind the scenes who help strategically organise and implement the necessary measures that allow us to be specialists in this field, to our hard working and consistent team of supervisors and cleaners who continuously strive for perfection, the experience our staff have is invaluable.

We look forward to this continuing throughout the summer.

For anyone looking to join us in working these events, please visit our recruitment page to apply.

We are Proud to be Recognised Service Providers of the Living Wage Foundation

Tue, 18 May 2021 14:30:03 GMT

AQS and Tudor Group LTD are proud to be recognised service providers of the Living Wage Foundation as we fully believe that ‘a hard days work deserves a fair days pay’.

For us, our staff are the core of our business and we wanted to beat the stigma that the cleaning industry can have!

As employers, we made a choice to focus our efforts around supporting good, sustainable ethical employment. Our employees - just like workers everywhere - are people with bills to pay, rent to make and lives to live and we believe that our people need a living wage, especially during these uncertain times.

AQS Back to Business Programme

Thu, 13 May 2021 14:19:10 GMT

As a new dawn rises, A Quality Service (part of the Tudor Group) has developed its Back to Business programme: a set of hygiene initiatives aimed at restoring confidence to both your customers and your employees.

It's Been a Busy Couple of Weeks!

Wed, 05 May 2021 09:33:32 GMT

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the team. Take a look at the short video of the team hard at work...

From jet washing to litter picking

From stadiums to factory floors

From chocolate tanks to industrial ovens

From cleaning up after horses to cleaning up after rugby players

What ever the cleaning need, AQS can help . Just contact us here or email sales@aqualityservice.co.uk

What a Transformation at Glamorgan Cricket Club!

Mon, 03 May 2021 17:03:42 GMT

How satisfying is this before and after picture?

It goes to show the importance of a clean business or workplace and the impression that it can make on your customers.

Another job well done by our team at Glamorgan Cricket stadium.

The Strength of a Good Team is Each Individual Member

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:40:40 GMT

Say Hello to Diana ��

Diana has worked for us for nearly 10 years and is one of our most reliable and helpful members of our team.

For her, the flexibility of the hours is one of the best things about working for AQS as it allows her to have a great work/life balance.

At AQS, our staff are always our top priority as “the strength of a good team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team”

Weekend Clean Up

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 12:35:22 GMT

Over the past couple of weeks, one of our long standing customers in the city centre has been having some unwanted visitors creating disruption and some unwanted mess.

Over the weekend, our team were all hands on deck. With a lot of heavy and unsanitary rubbish, the protective coveralls were needed and the team got to work.

The results are some very satisfying before and after picture and a very happy customer.

Kind Words from Cardiff University

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:47:46 GMT

“If you are looking for a contractor who are able to deliver against cleaning specification without the need for close management by your university team then look no further.”

AQS have been working with Cardiff University since 2012, providing deep cleaning services for the university student accommodation at the end of each academic year and more recently the service has been extended to include a house keeping service over the summer months.

Our ethos at AQS is to always provide a quality service and even though the saying is “a picture paints a thousand words”, this positive feedback goes to show that sometimes words can mean a little bit more...

Thank you to all at Cardiff University for their kind words.

Summer season engagements for AQS

Student accommodation cleans: Tackling our biggest challenge yet

Scope of work: A growing challenge

Meeting challenges head-on

Planning, communication and teamwork: The keys to success

Why choose AQS?

Meet the Team: Maja Abramek, Project Manager

Tell us a little bit about your background and journey to working in Facilities Management

What does a typical day look like for you?

What challenges or hurdles must be overcome as a Project Manager for Education?

What do you believe is the key to successfully running education sector contracts?

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Any aspirations for the future?

Delivering daily cleaning excellence at Principality Stadium

Strengthening a trusted partnership

The task at hand

Improving standards across the stadium

The vital role of the experienced AQS team

Building on the initial foundations

Creating memorable experiences at events this summer

Live concerts at the Principality

An eye for detail

Going above and beyond on adrenaline-pumped race days

Supporting other events across Wales

The hard work doesn’t stop there

If you’d like to know more about how our cleaning team can add value to your event, please get in touch on 01443 217000 or email info@aqualityservice.co.uk

Behind the scenes: A spotlight on the unsung heroes of stadium hospitality

Meet the team

Rhys Dunn, Kitchen Porter

Daniel Graves, Kitchen Porter

Karol Pielesz, Kitchen Porter Supervisor

Chi Hung Alfonson Kwan, Kitchen Porter and Litter Picker

Miroslaw Jackiewicz, Cleaning Operative and Kitchen Porter Supervisor

Join the team

Prioritising mental health in the workplace

Why mental wellbeing matters - the proof is in the data.

Every mind at Work – Mental Health Champions

How we support our staff

Supporting others in need

The difference it can make to our colleagues and yours

We’ve got the hottest tickets in town!

Celebrating team successes

Our partnership with Cardiff City FC: a perfect match

Building a solid working relationship ﻿

Understanding the needs of a busy venue

Delivering a great service leads to new wins

AQS Springs into Action at Cardiff and Vale College

Building the Dream Team

Boots on the Ground

Flexibility at its Finest

AQS masters unique challenges of construction cleaning

Trained for the task

Expertise in phased construction cleaning

Commitment to excellence and safety

Choosing AQS for your construction clean

Summer success: cleaning up at the Principality Stadium

Beyoncé

Coldplay

Harry Styles

AQS is the premier choice for event cleaning

Summer season engagements for AQS

World-class music acts at the Principality Stadium

A day at the races

First-class cricket

What we do at events

The work before the work

What’s in a summer?

Polishing our expertise: AQS at The Cleaning Show 2023

Themes for thought

Taking on the best ideas

Ahead of the game

Top-class cleaning for the nation's students

The importance of preparation and planning

Surveying sites

Recruiting right

Sourcing suppliers

Targeted training

Meet the Principality Stadium Events Team

Chantelle

Gareth and Leila

Building a solid working relationship