08:00 Thu 14 May 2020
MJ Gleeson Plc - Reopening of sites and sales offices
("Gleeson" or "the Company")
For immediate release
Covid-19 Update
Reopening of sites and sales offices
Following the Prime Minister's statements on Sunday 10 and Monday 11 May, and in line with the latest guidance from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, the Board has decided to implement its plan for a phased re-start of activity.
Gleeson announced on
Covid-19 Secure
Our paramount concern is the safety of our staff, subcontractors and customers. We have developed rigorous new working protocols which are at the least fully compliant with, or exceed, the Government's Covid-19 Secure guidance and which are supported by
These protocols include revised operating procedures and we are implementing training programmes to ensure that all our people are clear on what is required to ensure a safe environment. We have designed clear signage and will be providing on-site guidance, including Social Distancing Marshalls, to ensure safe working on site. We will also ensure that all our staff and site visitors have the requisite PPE and we will deploy a range of strict cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures.
Phased re-start
We will have reopened up to half of our sites for limited build activity by the end of this week and all sites will have reopened by the end of June. Initial on-site activity through May and June will focus on preparing site infrastructure and other ground-level works ahead of building out our forward order book.
We will begin to reopen sales offices this week on a regional hub basis and will have 19 sales offices covering all 67 sites open within two weeks. Visits to these regional hubs will be by appointment only.
The Company is undertaking an on-the-ground communications programme with the communities in which it operates, including via social media channels, to keep them informed about the Company's working protocols and revised operating procedures. On-site signage will provide a helpline phone number for residents to call should they have any concerns.
We announced on
Corporate and trading update
Gleeson builds and sells high quality, low cost 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes to first time buyers on average and lower incomes in areas of the
Roughly two thirds of our customers are key workers. In recognition of the extraordinary contribution they have made to keeping us all safe, fed and healthy Gleeson is prioritising sales to key workers and has launched the Gleeson Key Worker Priority Programme on the
Whilst our sales offices were closed, we continued to receive and deal with enquiries both online and by phone. We also continued to take reservations and exchange contracts for sale, albeit at significantly lower levels. The Company has not to date experienced any negative impact on selling prices, incentives or lender valuations.
The Company believes that low cost homes, especially for first-time buyers, will be the segment of the housing market that will recover fastest. The forward order book currently stands at
The Company has a strong balance sheet with cash balances at
Whilst the return to work is welcome, uncertainties continue including the impact new working methods will have on build and sales activity and the rate of completions. As a result, the Board is unable to provide forward guidance on the full year results to
"We welcome the Government's assistance in facilitating our return to work to build much needed homes. It will be some time before we can accurately assess demand but we are encouraged by the level of interest from prospective buyers in just the last few days. Our segment of the market is typically the one that recovers the fastest."
ENDS
Enquiries:
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For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is being made on behalf of the Company by
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