Independent service and repair firm Swiss Time Services is ready to reopen on Monday, June 1, ending a 10 week closure that began on March 20.
Commercial Director Nick Towndrow and managing director Tony Coe have been active throughout the lock down communicating with staff and customers, but all income-generating operations have been suspended and the team of 36 people has been furloughed.
Watches that were already being worked on before the lock down will be finished first and returned to their owners and STS will take on new jobs from next week.
“Reopening will allow our staff begin to receive their full salaries as soon as it is safe to do so and the business begins to generate income to pay our out goings which continue whether we are working or not as all businesses do,” Mr Towndrow tells WatchPro.
A number of additional health and safety protocols have been initiated to keep staff and customers safe.
It will not be possible for customers to drop off their watches in person, and are being encouraged to use mail or courier instead.
The team will be protected with screens installed in the workshop where it is impossible to work more than 2 metres apart. There is a one-way system for moving around the facility and common areas have been reconfigured to allow for social distancing.
Mr Towndrow is eager to get the word out to the trade and public that STS is open for business. “We look forward to hearing from you and continuing to service all your watchmaking needs as we all hopefully begin to settle into the new normal,” he says.
