Creating a safe space is fundamental to the success of your leisure business. Whether you run a gym, leisure club, spa, cinema, sports facility or holiday park, you want to meet customer expectations and see them leave with smiling faces.
Any safety failing can have a significant impact on your business, damaging your reputation and exposing you to costly compensation claims, operational downtime and regulatory penalties. And in an industry with heavy footfall and high levels of wear and tear, there are plenty of potential risks.
As a leisure business owner, it's your responsibility to identify and address those leisure property safety risks before accidents occur. Here we discuss the role professional surveying and development monitoring services can play in safeguarding your customers and giving you peace of mind.
Professional surveys - to detect safety risks
While regular repairs and maintenance are a crucial part of leisure property management, it’s also beneficial to look a little deeper to identify the hidden issues that could cause serious problems.
Many leisure businesses are situated in older properties with outdated building systems, excessive wear and tear and structural weaknesses that have developed over time. These issues are not always visible during routine inspections, which is why building surveys are the most effective way to uncover underlying concerns.
Why is a schedule of condition needed?
An SoC is an important form of protection for both landlord and tenant. It identifies any repairs which need to be made before the tenancy is agreed and sets a benchmark against which the property can be assessed in future.
What are the different survey types?
Surveys that can support commercial property safety compliance include:
- Condition surveys - Condition surveys are a visual inspection of the physical, mechanical and electrical condition of your leisure facility. They help you identify urgent health and safety risks and target your resources to rectify compliance breaches.
- Pre-acquisition surveys - If you're yet to buy the property, a pre-acquisition survey provides crucial insights into its condition, particularly the structure and materials. It can also outline the repair and refurbishment costs to bring the building up to a safe, operational standard.
- Building surveys - Building surveys are more comprehensive, as they consider the whole property in detail and include an in-depth analysis of the building fabric and systems. That includes identifying any structural hazards, damp, mould and ventilation issues, potential fire hazards and the presence of asbestos or other hazardous materials.
- Fire risk assessments - Any non-domestic premises in the UK must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment to evaluate hazards, identify risks and implement fire safety measures. You must conduct regular reviews to meet your leisure property fire safety requirements - particularly when there are changes to the property - and record the findings of the assessment in writing (if you have more than five employees).
What safety risks can professional surveys uncover?
Surveys are critical in older buildings and those undergoing a change of use. They can help you plan upgrades and prioritise the improvements required to create the safest possible environment for your customers, visitors and staff.
Surveys can identify the following safety issues:
- Structural defects, such as cracks, subsidence and corrosion
- Issues with drainage or damp
- The presence of ageing or unsafe building materials
- Any accessibility or compliance shortfalls
- High levels of wear and tear that may impact safety
Commercial property solutions
Our team of building consultants provide a range of commercial property solutions, from specialist building surveys to architecture and education funding application support. Speak to one of our experts to find out how we can help you deliver your objectives.
Development monitoring - to deliver safety improvements
Identifying safety risks with surveys is only half the story. You then need to make the improvements, and that’s where development monitoring comes in. It helps you stay compliant with commercial property safety regulations during those upgrades and changes.
What is development monitoring?
Development monitoring is the independent and expert oversight of repair or refurbishment projects. The role of a development monitor, also known as an independent monitoring surveyor, is commonly carried out by a chartered surveyor or project manager.
Whether you're repairing structural defects, upgrading wet areas, or completely refurbishing part of your leisure facility, development monitoring ensures the work is safety-compliant and completed to the highest standard.
How development monitoring enhances leisure property safety
When it comes to customer safety in leisure buildings, development monitoring plays a crucial role throughout the project lifecycle.
- Pre-construction review - An independent professional assesses the plans during the pre-construction phase and identifies any project design risks that could impact safety or compliance
- Risk assessment - Monitors identify and highlight any risks that arise during the project, including cost, design, and health and safety issues.
- Regulatory compliance - Monitoring ensures the work adheres to all the relevant building regulations and codes, and that the contractor complies with health and safety rules on site
- Contractor accountability - Monitors liaise with the contractor throughout the project to ensure the quality of workmanship and materials meet the required safety standards
- Documentation and verification - The process includes ongoing inspections and a review of the relevant documentation, including statutory consents, to ensure the work aligns with the approved plans and specifications
- Post-completion checks - Once the project is complete, the development monitor will review the site to confirm it’s compliant and safe for operation
By proactively managing risk and ensuring regulatory compliance at every stage, development monitoring provides an essential layer of oversight. The result is peace of mind for business owners and safer, higher-quality leisure spaces that are ready for public use.
Critical safety support throughout the property lifecycle
In a sector where customer safety is directly tied to the physical environment, this level of oversight is invaluable, and at Eddisons, we are ideally placed to provide it.
From detection to delivery, we deliver professional building surveys and development monitoring to ensure customer safety and compliance in leisure buildings. Find out more about our leisure property services and get in touch to discuss your goals with our team.
