All news
Worn mats, water puddles and chewing gum - the joys of running a shopping centre
November 21, 2011
The following article appeared in December's Shopping Centre magazine.
The right entrance matting plays a critical role in the efficient running of a busy shopping centre. Not only does it reduce the risk of accidents and extend the life of expensive flooring, but if it looks good as well it creates an excellent first impression. An effective matting system can help to combat all manner of potentially dangerous situations or maintenance problems and one centre to reap the benefits of installing such a system is the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea. New fixed matting was needed for four of its entrances to combat moisture and dirt brought in by the public and FPS Matting was asked to suggest a solution. After an initial survey, FPS recommended Milliken Obex Forma modular matting, which is specifically designed for high traffic areas.
Ian Kirkpatrick, Deputy Manager at the Centre, explained: “We wanted to replace our well matting because it was not easy to clean or remove and it looked old. The matting that FPS recommended is very strong, easy to clean and interchangeable. The latter has since proved invaluable as badly soiled tiles can be removed for soaking and replacements easily fitted from our stock of spares. We can also rearrange the tiles to reduce wear rather than have to replace whole mats and, best of all, it all still looks good after two years of use. Everyone has been very complimentary about them.”
All shopping centres have similar challenges to overcome and the experience gained from supplying matting to over 60 shopping centres allows FPS to provide a solution that is fit for purpose. It was appearance that attracted Bob Stammers, Centre Manager at the Kings Mall Shopping Centre, to the idea of using modular entrance matting. “I first saw this matting in situ during a trip to a shopping centre in Slough. I was so impressed with the way it looked that it spurred the decision to replace the existing matting in the Centre, which was badly worn and covered in chewing gum. We now have modular matting in all three of our entrances, two on the main thoroughfare and one leading from the customer car park, and have even had it laid in our office building next door. It’s over a year since FPS fitted the matting in the Centre and it looks exactly as it did when it was first laid. I am very pleased with it.”
Stewart Smith, Operations Supervisor at the Hart Shopping Centre in Fleet, agrees with Bob about the attractiveness and suitability of modular entrance matting. The Centre has recently finished a two year programme to renew its entrance matting and Stewart explained: “The matting was 10 years old, very worn and we were concerned about people slipping during wet weather so it desperately needed replacing. FPS had supplied us with serviced matting in the past so we asked its team to come back and fit fixed matting in all eight of the Centre’s entrances. This has massively enhanced the Centre’s appearance and, even after two years, the one in the main entrance still looks brand new. The tiles actually reduce the volume of water that is walked in through the mall and are so flexible that we can replace a section if something is spilled or move them around to reduce wear and tear. And, of course, this flexibility helps us to contend with the bane of chewing gum as well!”
FPS is the country’s leading supplier and installer of Milliken Obex Forma modular fixed entrance matting and has spent over 20 years helping commercial, industrial and retail properties to keep the floors clean, safe and attractive. Recognising the wide variety of end user and customer needs, FPS is also an approved supplier and installer of 3M, Nuway, and Gradus entrance matting products. Its comprehensive matting service is second-to-none and includes an initial survey, consultation on the correct matting solution, expert installation and advice on maintenance.
