We are always ready to embrace a challenge and when we were awarded this ambitious contract by the General Register Office for Scotland, to maintain Category A properties in Edinburgh and Dumfries, it certainly aroused a spark of enthusiasm in us. 

Just some of the challenges and interesting features in this landmark contract include: maintaining the optimum environmental conditions for the protection of archival documents, maintaining historically and socially significant listed properties, along with the conservation constraints of specific elements, such as the protection of Crown glass.

This was the first time that both the General Registers Office and the National Archive Office went to the mark with a combined tender requirement.

What’s so important about this you may ask?

Well, this was one of the first contracts that embraced the public procurement reform requirement of the Scottish Governments McClelland report. Both organisations came together to procure services that meet their operational requirements and to get a value–for-money solution. The contract was won against stiff UK competition, with Arthur McKay proving to be the best value solution. The services to be delivered by Arthur McKay are hard FM and Soft FM services.

Nothing special about this you may think?

Here’s the twist.  Not only do Arthur McKay deliver the usual M&E maintenance, building fabric maintenance, cleaning, security, fire risk assessments, management of the helpdesk and so on, but  we also maintain the archive storage facilities in compliance with BS5454:2000 (Recommendation for the storage and exhibition of archival documents). 

And that’s not all.

This in itself can be arduous but achieving this in some of Scotland's most historic properties poses some unique challenges. We also have to carry out Quinquennial conservation surveys of the listed buildings on the estate, along with window cleaning services.

What's different about cleaning widows?

When they are of national historic importance and have original crown glass, you need to take extra special care. This is a contract that we are very pleased to be delivering.  The country can rest assured that their national treasures are in good hands, with Arthur McKay managing the facilities.