Daytime cleaning at Debenhams is set to continue with the appointment of Ecocleen as its newest cleaning contract partner at its prestigious, state of the art store in Bury St Edmunds. The recently opened store covers 85,000 square feet over three floors.

Debenhams believes that no customer should be disadvantaged by the time they choose to shop. Traditional cleaning schedules meant that a customer shopping at 5pm could experience a dirtier and untidier store than the customer who shopped at 9am. Debenhams has found that customers appreciate cleaning going on around them. It provides a perception of cleanliness that is then backed up with actuality.

The strategy to operate a daytime cleaning programme has proved cost effective and has delivered an improvement in the level of personnel and drastically reduced labour turnover. Another major benefit is the inclusion of Ecocleen staff into the Debenhams team. Cleaning operatives build personal relationships with the Debenhams staff and mutual respect is generated as a result. This enables a ‘one team’ approach that sees improvement across all standards. Ecocleen personnel sit in on team meetings and are invited to staff parties and events.

Ecocleen is passionate about staff development. Their staff are inducted with the Debenhams team but go onto individual training that mirrors Ecocleen’s direct approach. Experience has shown that there are windows of cleaning opportunity within the day. Patterns develop naturally in line with footfall. Cleaning is focused on quiet times and is constantly geared towards getting the facilities ready for busy periods like lunch times.

Such a major shift, however, presents challenges for the Ecocleen team both in terms of work patterns and cleaning equipment. Critical issues such as health and safety have to be considered at all times. This means battery operated machines including battery vacuums and burnishers.

Keith Evans, head of facilities at Debenhams, said: “We have found the personal approach from Ecocleen very refreshing. They are very in touch with their business, managing it locally from a senior level. If they have a problem they will tell you about it. This personal ethos works well with our daytime cleaning philosophy. To be honest, the additional benefits of daytime cleaning were discovered later. The benefits were realised in customer satisfaction - our customers expect higher standards and this continues to increase.”

Ecocleen is now part of the South African Servest Group. October 2009 will see Ecocleen rebranded to Servest in the UK. Ecocleen saw 33% growth in 2008; a further 30% is planned for 2009 taking company turnover to over £40 Million. 

For more information visit: www.ecocleen.co.uk