Commercial Property Forfeiture Involved Securing a Large, Complex Premises in Preston
Related Services
Team Members Involved
The Situation
Commercial lease forfeiture can present practical challenges when a property is large, contains multiple internal areas and has several access points that need to be secured. In this Preston case, the premises included a substantial commercial unit with numerous roller shutters, doors and internal spaces requiring careful attention.
The building contained a variety of areas, including a space used for cricket practice, equipment storage and rooms containing pharmacy-related items. The different entrances, locks and shutter mechanisms meant that securing the property required a considered approach rather than simply changing a single lock.
After searching for commercial lease forfeiture in Preston, the client contacted Strikes Property Services Group.
Our Approach
Our team arrived at 5:50am with a locksmith and assessed the various entrances and security points. The initial entrance involved a small roller shutter and a separate wooden door, each with its own locking mechanism. The locksmith changed the shutter’s bullet lock and replaced the push-button locking mechanism on the wooden door with a new mortice lock.
The work then extended to the numerous roller shutters and internal doors throughout the premises. Some shutter mechanisms presented practical difficulties, including a faulty control panel. Where appropriate, power to shutters was isolated, while other access points were secured using suitable physical measures. Internal doors and frames were also secured where required.
One entrance to an area containing pharmacy-related items had an alarmed double-glazed door. Given the risk of triggering the alarm and the number of other access points that needed attention, the team took a practical approach to securing the surrounding access, including isolating power to the external shutter. The team also secured other doors where necessary to help prevent unauthorised access.
Throughout the operation, our team documented the work with photographs and displayed the required notices on the roller shutter. When a person arrived nearby, the team worked efficiently to complete the operation. Body-worn cameras remained in use throughout.
Outcome
The premises were secured, with the access points addressed as far as practicable given the property’s layout and the different locking and shutter mechanisms. The team overcame several practical challenges on site and completed the operation in approximately 70 minutes, leaving at 7:00am.
Photographs were taken, notices were displayed and the keys were delivered to the instructed address. The operation demonstrated the importance of thorough preparation, practical problem-solving and attention to detail when carrying out a commercial lease forfeiture at a large premises.
