How CIC Delivers Seamless Refurbishments
Refurbishment is a natural and essential part of a venue’s lifecycle, whether it’s a hotel, school pub, golf club, or retail space. But as businesses increasingly strive to remain operational during upgrades, the challenge for contractors is not just in delivering quality finishes – it’s in doing so with minimal disruption to daily operations.
At CIC, working in live environments is part of our DNA. From hotel chains like Dalata Hotels and Holiday Inns to golf clubs such as Woodbridge and pubs across the UK, we’ve built a reputation for planning and delivering complex refurbishments in real-world, operational settings.
When a venue remains open, every decision made during a refurbishment must be viewed through the lens of guest experience and operational continuity. A hotel undergoing a multiple bathroom refit or restaurant revamp can’t afford unwelcome noise at 7 a.m. That’s why, at CIC, we approach every live site like a carefully choreographed production, where timing, communication, and respect for the environment are paramount.
Refurbishments like the Holiday Inn Aylesbury showcase how this is brought to life. By working in close partnership with hotel management teams, we developed a tailored programme that allowed operations to continue smoothly throughout the works. From initial planning to final handover, transparency and timing were critical. We phased the works to avoid peak times, scheduled trades around quieter periods, and ensured that noise and dust control measures kept the guest experience undisturbed.
Similarly, at Woodbridge Golf Club, CIC advised that the refurbishment would be best approached as a single-phase project rather than in stages. This meant that member areas would need to be fully closed off during the works. Mindful of this, the club took the initiative to create a temporary outdoor facility to continue serving its members. By working closely with the client from the outset and helping shape a practical delivery plan, CIC ensured the project could proceed efficiently while allowing the club to maintain engagement with its members, all of whom supported the temporary arrangements and welcomed the improvements underway.
Our success in live environments hinges on meticulous scheduling and deep sector understanding of peak seasons or operational needs. Every plan is bespoke, and our experience allows us to advise clients on what will work best for their unique circumstances, not what is most convenient for us.
On-site conduct is especially important when working in live environments. Everyone involved – from subcontractors to delivery teams – needs to be aware that they’re operating within a functioning business. Consideration for the space, staff, and customers is essential. That means keeping disruption to a minimum, managing waste efficiently, and following clear site protocols to ensure the environment remains safe, clean, and respectful at all times.
Refurbishment in a live environment isn’t just about managing a project – it’s about partnership. It’s about listening to the client, understanding their needs, and creating a delivery plan that aligns with their business goals, peak periods, and guest expectations. It’s about building trust, and this is what allows our clients to keep their doors open, their customers happy, and their businesses running – even while the walls are being rebuilt around them.
