Employee changing rooms - maximise the space with Link Lockers

"Designing workplace locker room facilities can throw up many challenges for employers," says Joeri Decae, Sales Director at Link Lockers, the UK's number one manufacturer and supplier of workplace locker solutions.

"Providing employees with secure, functional and flexible storage solutions that maximise the available space, and adhere to health and safety and specific HR requirements are just some of the key considerations. Added to this is the available budget and ensuring your choice of product is fitting for the environment and can withstand heavy duty day-to-day usage."

In the retail sector, Link Lockers leads the way in the design of workplace locker room facilities and works with many top retailers including Next, Greggs, Lloyds Pharmacy, Lidl and ASDA to name just a few. One of the largest and most prestigious locker facilities in the retail sector was designed by Link Lockers for the IKEA store and headquarters operation in Brent, North London. IKEA's major installation of Link Lockers products serve to meet the day-to-day storage requirements of approximately 1000 ‘co-worker’ staff and visitors who are on the site at any given time.

IKEA HQ

The ongoing expansion of the IKEA organisation was the main factor behind the refurbishment of the Brent site. At the heart of the programme was an open plan locker area adjacent to both male and female changing and washroom facilities on the third floor. Lockers from the standard metric locker range were used to provide a total of almost 1000 individual compartments, all of which were installed by Link Lockers within a single working week to meet the requirements of the refurbishment programme.

The net result is a significant increase in the number of locker compartments compared with the original layout, plus a series of additional benefits that came from the design specification. Joeri confirms: "The personal storage requirements at the site are extremely varied. Some users need space for no more than a handbag, whilst others may have larger items such as motor cycle leathers and helmets – even, in the case of overseas visitors, suitcases. Plus, with an allied obligation to meet Health and Safety provisions that call for IKEA Food Services Co-workers to be able to change into their uniforms at work, the arrangement of the locker sizes was also important."

The IKEA facility boasts a wide variety of Link Locker configurations, from units with six compartments to those with just one. Plus, with the shared locker area located between the separate washrooms the facility can also readily accommodate any changes in male/female staff ratios.

Significantly, all the lockers also benefit from a unique BioCote® protective finish. Joeri explains: "BioCote® technology helps to reduce the risks associated with bacterial cross-contamination from surfaces with high contact frequency such as lockers and helps reassure staff that every effort is being made to help maintain a hygienic working environment. Biocote® Protection is provided as standard on all painted steel products manufactured by Link Lockers."

Additional key design features include:

• Secure Locking - all lockers are fitted with key-operated pay locks with a coin return facility. This also allows users to select the most appropriate locker for their specific requirements.
• Sloping Locker Tops – the sloping tops prevent items or litter being left on top of lockers, and make cleaning easier.
• Link Seating – for the convenience of users, Link Lockers bench seats are located at convenient positions.
• Strength – the locker doors have all been reinforced to enhance strength and protect against impact damage.

The IKEA organisation is highly regarded and continues to grow at an impressive rate while maintaining its high standards of staff welfare. The locker installation at Brent Park reflects this approach in the quality and design of the Link Lockers products.

Angelo Micciche, Project Leader for the IKEA Brent Park refurbishment, explained why IKEA chose Link Lockers for the new co-worker area: "At IKEA we offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. Our working environment must at all times reflect this core philosophy as well as our expertise in design and home furnishings. We chose Link Lockers for our co-worker areas because like IKEA they offered a functional, well designed product at a competitive price."

Specific Designs for the Retail Market

As the UK's locker experts, Link Lockers offer the most comprehensive choice of workplace locker and storage solutions. From standard and medium duty steel lockers to specialist lockers designed to address specific corporate and HR related issues. Joeri adds: "When it comes to specifying lockers, the retail sector has its own niche design requirements. For example, many retailers have a need to reduce theft, so we have created a number of lockers with specially designed transparent doors that enable managers to visually check the contents of its lockers."

"Another popular solution is using keyless or combination locks, which allows retailers operating different shift patterns to rotate the usage of lockers. This system replicates the popular 'hot desking' principle used in office environments - employees are not given their own locker, instead they are used as required. Fewer lockers are needed this way, and it encourages staff to remove their personal contents from the locker at the end of a shift. This creates a cleaner, more hygienic environment and reduces the opportunity for stolen items to be hidden away," concluded Joeri.