Reade Blog

Reade Signs were delighted to play a key part in marketing Barking Riverside, the largest brownfield redevelopment project in the UK, to the public. An experience suite for the community Barking Riverside is bringing more than 10,000 new homes to east London and we were set a challenge by the developers to transform four shipping containers into a temporary ‘experience suite’ – an exhibition and conference space for the public, local schools and community groups as well as stakeholders in the development. The largest 3D development model in the UK The brief specified a large video wall, seating for all ages and a private meeting room with a presentation screen. We were also asked to accommodate a vast, illuminated 3D printed model of the whole development. At 3.6 metres by 2.6 metres and with more than 1,000 model buildings, it’s the largest 3D printed development model in the country. Working in shipping containers The simple, steel-skinned shipping containers set us the problem of what to do with all the internal wiring needed for the presentation equipment and domestic services. We had to build special boxes into the floor and ceiling to hide them away, all within the requirement to fit out the suite as a professional but friendly place, using a bright colour palette set out in the development’s brand guidelines. Going the extra mile Working to a tight deadline to meet the development launch event, we fitted out the experience suite with new electrics, flooring and display areas as well as all the seating and the video wall unit. We also installed large, high-level illuminated branding signage. It’s fair to say the developers and designer were delighted with the result, and appreciated how we achieved everything within very precise specifications. “…thank you for your prompt action to make it a very successful install. I really appreciate Reade going the extra mile with last minute requests made yesterday and the day before” David Rawlins, Principal Advisor Construction Health, Safety and Environment for Barking Riverside. Reade Signs has experience creating marketing suites for developments. If you would like to find out how we can help you communicate your project to stakeholders and to the public, then please contact us, email us at enquiry@readesigns.com or ring 01252 336000.

Sign installation is nothing if not varied. We had two major projects earlier this year which had similar issues – access – to overcome, but we had to do it in two very different ways. Royal Exchange, Kingston-Upon-Thames On the face of it, this looked like a straightforward job, erecting illuminated hoarding cladding to protect and promote a new housing development for one of our major clients. The brief called for a bright, illuminated design along a 200m perimeter around the Royal Exchange development in Kingston-upon-Thames. However, the main concern for us was the narrow pavement and busy road around the site, which was going to cause issues with how we could work safely. We had enough time before this project to plan properly and our client had given us a dedicated area for storing a limited amount of materials. However, it was halfway along the perimeter and we still had to get our equipment and hoarding cladding sheets to the specific work areas every day along the narrow pavement, with traffic rushing by. We came up with an innovative solution which we’ll be using on other jobs in the future. We designed a bespoke trolley that could be folded flat to fit into our vans but could be assembled and loaded with cladding sheets. It had “all terrain” wheels to cope with curbs and it worked a treat, mainly because the whole team, especially those who would have to use it, were involved in the design. Of course we had to run the design and construction past our client for health and safety reasons, but they were so delighted with our idea they promoted it within their organisation as an example of how sub-contractors can overcome problems with a bit of inventive thinking. We also instructed a traffic management company to cordon off areas of pavement every day, on a rolling basis, for us to work in. We had to be very safety conscious working by such a lot of traffic, particularly when members of the public insisted on getting around the barriers and walking along the busy road behind us. As for the design, we used built-up illuminated lettering and two recessed lightboxes so that it didn’t stick out over the pavement. The hoarding will be in place for a while, so the lightbox design allows us to update replaceable message panels easily and cost-effectively. Brunel Building, Paddington Our second project was for a hoarding around an office development at Brunel Building in London. The perimeter runs alongside the Paddington Canal. It was pretty obvious that erecting the hoarding alongside a busy waterway would be a challenge. Fortunately, we organised specialist contractors working on pontoons to put up our hoarding along 80 metres of canalside perimeter, so we didn’t have to put on the life jackets for that part. We simply manufactured the hoarding panels in our Aldershot factory. We used treated Sterling board for the client’s distinctively minimalist, unfinished plywood look. However, our challenge was to install a 64 metre section of hoarding spanning the canal on a footbridge. Cage fitters The canal is busy, so we couldn’t shut it to erect a platform to install the sheets; instead, our own hoarding fitters were suspended above the water in a cage from a crane. This needed a lot of careful health and safety planning and close coordination with the constructors because this part of the construction site was very cramped and busy. After several months, the job was completed. The self-adhesive letters and architectural drawing-inspired designs, picked out in white ultra-tack vinyl, look great and match our client’s corporate image guidelines. Access all areas? That just takes some time, planning and innovation Every job we do has its own challenges and sometimes they require a unique solution. But as far as Reade Signs are concerned, wherever there’s a hoarding to be put up, we will find a way to get a client’s message seen. If you’d like to know more about how Reade Signs can help your business get noticed, please contact us on enquiries@readesigns.com or call 01252 336000. Reade Signs – Applying Knowledge. Creating Visions. Delivering Value.

Is your site ready for the Spring crowd? With the busiest spell in the housing market fast approaching, now is an opportune time to review current site signage and hoarding. As experts in visual marketing, Reade Signs produce stunning, eye-catching signage that significantly increases the footfall, enquiries and visitors to our client’s sites. As industry leading experts in property signage, Reade Signs are the partner of choice for property developers. We have over 36 years of experience and currently work with the UK’s largest property developers amongst our impressive portfolio of clients. What do our clients love about working with Reade Signs? Well we are experts in our field and our clients know we will always deliver unbeatable service. As well as excellent communication throughout projects, Reade Signs completely manage and handle the entire build from start to finish, unburdening our clients. Key areas include: Communicating and working directly with sites, booking install slots that work best for them and avoiding clashes with other trades or site works wherever possible, causing minimal disruption. Reade Signs manages everything. This gives our clients peace of mind and allows them to focus on sales, knowing their site signage project is safe hands. Reade Signs only provides quality products that meet our stringent criteria. With our impressive in-house production facilities, we know all products are manufactured to our high standards, using approved materials. We also conduct rigorous checks so every product has been thoroughly inspected and approved before leaving the premises. This ensures Reade Signs products stand the test of time. Create and agree Risk and Method Statements (RAM’s) in advance. This organisation and process ensures safety compliance is always met before we start and whilst carrying out the install, benefiting both companies and employees as well as ensuring a smooth completion. All Reade Signs employees are fully trained and experienced, meaning they are versed in site protocol and procedures. “We invested a lot of time thinking about our next generation of marketing suites for Linden Homes, so finding the right delivery partner was a crucial step for us. Reade Signs’ experience not just in the property market, but in branding and retail knowledge made them our obvious choice. We liked many of the ideas they put forward during the tender process and incorporated these in our final specification. The short time between contract award to delivering the first installation demonstrated strong project management and flexibility on their part” – Vicky Cullen, Head of Marketing, Linden Homes Site Safety Site Health and Safety is of paramount importance to Reade Signs. We are fully accredited being Safecontractor and CQMS approved, as well as being members of the BSGA (British Sign and Graphics Association). We also have ISO 9001 and 14001 Quality and Environmental management accreditations. The importance of site signage Having worked with all of the country’s major housing developers over the past 36 years, we truly understand the importance of site presentation to potential buyers. Numerous surveys conducted independently and by housing developers conclude that the standard of signage is the top reason for improved footfall. Based on these findings, the better your signage, the better your footfall.