For many people, the lockdown imposed in the UK has not just meant social isolation but real problems for getting work done. Being an agricultural, groundwork and equestrian contractor, there has been no possibility of getting the sort of work we do at BTAC carried out from home. We have been hard at it out and about across Leicestershire, Rutland and beyond undertaking the same sort of work as we always have. Okay, not everything has been the same – social distancing rules apply even though we work in the open air – but it is fair to say that, in a commercial sense, we have carried on.

When the new rules were imposed last month, we knew there would be a downturn at BTAC. However, this was short lived. Whether it has been earth shifting for groundworks or fitting block paving, there has been plenty of work to take on. Indeed, much of what we have done recently has been multi-faceted whereby we’ve undertaken lots of small repairs and upgrade jobs as well as land work for our equestrian clients. Being a ‘one stop shop’ for our customers has always gone down well but – during the lockdown period especially – it has meant our clients have been able to turn to us with greater confidence, reducing contact by using just one contractor, whilst still getting essential work done.

Of course, being available to provide such services to our customers is one thing but we have also needed to get hold of the supplies we require to carry out our work was another. Anything from paving slabs to fence posts have not always been straightforward to come by over the course of the last seven weeks of lockdown. Some of our suppliers have been shut and others have been offering a reduced service. That said, we have been able to source everything we need to fulfil our customers’ requirements successfully. Today, our yard is full of supplies that will be going out in the coming days to meet fresh orders. With the first tentative steps to ease the lockdown rules just announced, as of mid-May, we look set to be busier than ever before.

If the lockdown rules continue to apply throughout June, as they probably will in some form, then we can expect more of the same. Our ‘one stop shop’ approach will continue because so many of our customers who have used us in this way have recommended us to friends and neighbours in need of similar jobs around the place. Going forwards, from July onwards, we’re only likely to get busier still as our usual work starts to ramp up. So, if you want maintenance work to be carried out on your property – large or small – then the time to call me on 07710 780943 within the coming weeks before we get even more active than we are at present.