A MALTON-based commercial cleaning firm has invested £80,000 in state-of-the-equipment from America to enable it to diversify in current coronavirus pandemic.

After losing 70 per cent of their commercial cleaning contracts following the lockdown, the team at 4serve began to research how they could use their skills to stay in business, and protect the future jobs of furloughed staff at the firm and sister-company, water cooler service provider, Aquapoint.

Six staff members, from the business, which is based on York Road Industrial Estate, are now fully trained in carrying with the Steramist system, which enables biological decontamination and infection control services to be carried out within any building.

The 4serve team is now able to decontaminate any building, and have it back in operation within the hour.

Patrick Wilkinson, managing director of 4serve, said: “We’ve overcome all sorts of challenges

in over 30 years of running businesses, but when we were faced with no other path in March, we had to remember we have always taken a ‘sew the parachute on the way down’ approach.

“We took the decision to invest in the equipment and training we needed, to best support other businesses to begin operating safely again.”

“As one of only two companies in the UK using the Steramist system, we’re confident there is no better or more effective surface treatment for eradicating viruses.

“It’s ideal for cleaning areas where workers are in closest proximity to each other, such as washrooms and canteens and will be vital to not only protect the public, but the employees keeping those businesses running.

“We’re working with all sorts of clients such as schools, care homes, retail stores and the transport sector, all of which face huge challenges in not only getting

ready to operate again, but maintaining the same high levels of cleanliness following an increase in footfall or indeed, a case of infection.”

The new specialist cleaning services are available to businesses based in the north of England, and 4serve hopes to help companies get back on their feet.

Patrick added: “As businesses begin to open, it’s important for leaders to ask ‘will my customers feel safe? And what will they expect our business or service to do to keep them safe?’

“The same applies for employees, who need equal protection and reassurance. There are similar looking services which can be confusing, but those methods have nowhere near the same proven effectiveness in eradicating viruses and bacteria as the Steramist system.”