Supermarket customers forced to queue for entry because of Covid restrictions have a Grimsby fabrication specialist to thank for shielding them from the harsh winter weather.
Lock It Safe Ltd has supplied 159 covered walkways for national retailer Aldi, rolling out the length and breadth of the country.
And talks are underway to roll out further than the 39 stores fitted out in 2020, as the business heads towards a record year.
Launched as a cycle parking solution provider almost 30 years ago, Lock It Safe has diversified significantly in recent years.
With a track record of covered walkways and canopies for commercial and public sector use, it was well suited for the work.
Matt Smith, managing director, said: “When we received the enquiry from Aldi in mid-October, their timescales were ambitious. Fortunately we have experience in designing, fabricating and installing bespoke covered walkways for the airport, rail, and education sectors which put us in a great place to win the contract.”
The weather would not wait and Aldi wanted the installations across five regions completed before they hit their Christmas shopping peak.
“In just 10 weeks we installed 159 units across 39 stores from as far north as Elgin in Scotland down to Lewes on the south coast,” Mr Smith said. “Our team pulled out all the stops and I couldn’t be prouder of how they delivered for Aldi, especially as the installations were often near essential disabled and parent/child parking and busy store entrances so we needed to cause the minimum of disruption.
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“The project went so well, we are now in discussions with Aldi to provide covered walkways at more stores in 2021.”
Launched in 1993, schools and local authorities were the first recipients of the bike shacks.
It fabricates its own range of products from a workshop in Market Rasen, pitching itself against significant players for prestigious national contracts. A management buy-out was completed in 2018 by Mr Smith and Craig Sime, who had both worked in the business for a significant time. Having turned over around £1.5 million for several years, it is now heading towards £2.5 million after “two years of really hard graft”.
“Craig and I knew it could work because of the client base and the reputation,” Mr Smith said of the buy-out.
“The last year has really seen us turn a corner.”
A team of 16 is employed, up two through lockdown in the Europarc office, with fitting crew also expanded to meet demand.
Andy Doyle, property director for Aldi, thanked the entire team, describing it as “a great effort”.
The original focus remains, with the push on cycling seeing Lock It Safe working with major hospitals in London as health workers seek to steer clear of public transport.