The past 18 months have been a rollercoaster for many of our business clients.
When office doors closed in 2020 we had not long fitted a brand new office for Shropshire communications company J&PR at their shared building in Wellington.
The staff had been at their new desks less than two months when they began working from home offices.
Working closely with you and your business
The new office had been planned out with our 3D planning tool, allowing directors Kirsty and Rhea to see how their chosen furniture would look – and adapt their choices when they saw it in situ on the plan.
The colours had been chosen to match their brand and each desk area was designed to fit the employee that would be working from it.
We then took their existing furniture in part exchange for their new range and added it to our preloved showroom.
Homeworking solutions
When the team began working from home we supplied chairs and stationery items to ensure the employees had all they needed.
We were able to deliver them to individual homes and were on the end of the phone for further support when homeworking became longer term.
COVID-safe offices
When the restrictions began to lift and Kirsty, Rhea and the staff returned to the office we were called in to fit screens between the desks as they worked to make the setting COVID-safe for all.
Unfortunately, the building they were based in had made much of its income from its hired meeting room space and due to the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on this income stream, the building owners decided to sell the space.
Re-planning and fitting in new space
J&PR’s new home was its own office space in Wellington with four office rooms – quite different from their previous, smaller, open-plan rooms.
We took their existing furniture and created further 3D plans to show Kirsty and Rhea how the furniture would fit into this new office and added further desks and furniture to match to accommodate a new member of staff.
We also planned out furniture and a video conferencing bundle for a new bespoke digital training room.
Happy customers
“Chrisbeon supported us throughout lockdown, during our various moves and adapting our furniture and office space as we needed it to ensure that our team could continue to work as normal and our PR clients were never affected,” says Rhea.
“We are so happy with our new space and how Richard, Craig and Ryan worked with us to make it perfect for our business and the employees in it.
“They have made what has been a very difficult time so much easier to deal with.”
Kirsty adds: “We had chairs and desks delivered to our homes and then when we moved into the new office we needed more chairs as the hybrid working model meant we needed home offices and our permanent office.
“Chrisbeon has the solution for everything and their installation team is brilliant and offers first-class service every time.”
Office furniture is an essential requirement in running a business from premises. It really doesn’t matter if you have one or two members of staff or 40 – they will need somewhere to sit, somewhere to work from, such as a desk, and somewhere to keep any items they may need.
This office equipment is an asset to your business – a long-term investment that will depreciate over the ensuing years. The rate at which it depreciates varies greatly, some equipment is built to last longer than others and in some cases . . . well, it simply works out that way!
What is office furniture depreciation?
Everything depreciates and at some point will need replacing. An office chair and a desk reach a stage where they are not fit for purpose and offices come to the stage where they need the benefit of renovation or a refit.
Factoring in a depreciation schedule will allow you to keep track of costs and the profitability of your business year-on-year. Estimate how long your office equipment will last and its likely rate of decline and record the information, remembering to keep it regularly updated.
Some of the UK manufactured furniture ranges we supply, and have supplied over the years, we still see in use, in the correct environment, 20 to 30 years after it was purchased but some products only have a 12-month warranty from new.
Depending on your need or budget tends to dictate how long it lasts. Much of the preloved furniture we sell is between two and 15 years years old so depending on its age depends on its longevity.
Can you claim office furniture on tax?
Depreciation will lower your profit margins but may bring the advantage of reducing your tax bill. Consumables such as your stationery may be deducted from your tax bill – but only during the year in which you bought them and it’s worth remembering that for most companies only fixed assets can be depreciated.
It’s also worth repeating the news we brought you earlier this year concerning the tax changes unveiled by the Government to encourage spending. The introduction of a super-deduction now means benefits and savings for businesses in respect of qualifying “plant and machinery investments” – a category which includes desks and chairs bought for offices.
The changes mean limited companies can claim 130% super-deduction capital allowance on office furniture bought between April 1st this year and March 31st 2023 – effectively reducing their tax bill by 24.7% of the amount they have invested in furniture and other qualifying assets.
Chrisbeon is ready, willing and able to help you meet your office furniture requirements. We are happy to talk through your needs over the phone or would be delighted to welcome you to our Stafford Park showroom – or come and visit you to discuss requirements if it is a large project.
Our expertise has been accumulated over nearly 50 years of serving businesses across the country and we would love to share those benefits with you!
The Climbing Out Snowdonia Challenge was a great success on October 9th and we were delighted to be part of the day with all the finishers being presented with pin badges donated by us to the Climbing Out charity.
We are a great supporter of Kelda Wood MBE and her charity which is doing such a wonderful job in helping young people coming to terms with life-changing mental or physical trauma or illness, and the Snowdonia Challenge was the latest event to raise the all-important funds which help to keep the charity running.
Marking the day
We previously supplied Kelda with 300 promotional pin badges and were delighted to see them being presented to walkers at the end of the challenge. A donation of 500 more will soon be delivered to ensure those taking part in activities over the coming year will receive one too.
Our very own Richard Hughes and two friends took part in the hike – taking on the full Llyn Idwal, Y Garn plus Elidir Fawr to Deiniolen challenge totalling 16.5km and 928m ascent! We would like to pass on our congratulations to all those who took part, raising a lot of money for this most worthy of causes.
Kelda said: “Chrisbeon have been incredible in their support of Climbing Out for a number of years now. Not only have they helped us by donating numerous items for our office and admin, but they’ve taken a really personal approach in their support.
“It was fantastic to see Richard joining us on our fundraising hike for the fourth year running, and we handed out pin badges donated by Chrisbeon to everyone who completed the hike. We are incredibly grateful to Chrisbeon for their support.”
We are not just about stationery!
It may come as a surprise to some people to learn that Chrisbeon doesn’t just provide furniture, stationery and other equipment for the home and office – we have an extensive and varied range of other items available. Check out our extensive catalogue here.
This includes the lapel pin badges, a cost-effective way of promoting your business, charity, organisation – or anything else you want to highlight. They can be made to your own bespoke shape and design and come in several sizes.
We can provide you with enamel badges, printed epoxy resin lapel pin badges, aluminium clutch pin badges and button badges. The metal badges are made from partly recycled material and can be recycled easily after use. Plastic badges are made from recycled plastic – fulfilling our ongoing commitment to the environment.
More about Climbing Out
The Climbing Out charity has been making a difference for more than a decade helping people coming to terms with life-changing mental or physical trauma or illness, and is back in full swing again with its full programme of events following the restrictions of Covid.
Places are still available on Climbing Out programmes this year, which includes the periodic walk and talk days designed to bring people who are facing similar challenges together to help them regain their confidence by getting out and about, and the five-day outdoor activity programmes designed to help people rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.
Climbing Out provides the tools to help people who have been through a difficult experience to rebuild their lives through outdoor activities. The charity has been successful in supporting victims of bullying and abuse, survivors of crime and terrorism, people with life-changing illnesses, and those with disabilities, vision and hearing impairments.
Places are also offered to members of the armed forces, including veterans, reservists and their families, members of the NHS and emergency services who are coming to terms with physical or mental trauma.
Clearly, we love all things stationery….and we know most of our customers do too!
The aim of the annual National Stationery Week is to celebrate writing by hand and get people to share details of their favourite stationery products.
So we thought we would share some of our popular stationery items with you…
What are the most popular stationery items?
Copy paper – an obvious essential for any printing to get done
Ballpoint pens – these write so beautifully that it’s not surprising they are people’s first choice of pen
Spiral notebooks – the feeling when you open a brand new notebook should have its own word….something meaning the possibilities waiting there, the cleanliness, the crispness of the paper.
Lanyards – and if you’re looking for these, we sell them here.
Wooden pencils – a simple classic. Nobody can live without a pencil.
What are the most important stationery items?
Calendars – the most important stationery item on everyone’s list is a calendar. …it’s the key to organisation!
Pens, pen holders – it’s always useful to have a good selection of pens around as we all know they have a habit of going for a walk!
Sticky notes – ooh who doesn’t love a good display covered in pink, yellow and white notes?
Whiteboards, markers, and erasers – the perfect office set-up for all-important planning.
Highlighters – another great planning tool and an age-old favourite.
Top five working from home items
Clever pen pots – one of our pen pots has a holder for your phone and even amplifies music – they were very popular in a time of lockdown when many employees did not have landline phones at their computer setting.
Mouse Mat – for those working from home on tables or different surfaces mouse mats come in handy to protect those surfaces!
Office chair – not stationery but in terms of working from home, it is important to make sure you have a proper chair, which supports your back, not just an old dining room chair.
Weekly planner – organisation is important whether in the office or at home and there are some great planner choices for the home office.
Erasers, pencils, and sharpeners – anyone who had to home school knows these are crucial…and the more the better as they seem to be affected by the stationery eating monster too!
We have a stationery display in our showroom and we’d love to chat to you about what we have available in-store from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm or have a look at our website.
The Climbing Out charity holds a fundraising hike every year to raise vital funds which allows them to continue the amazing work they do to help young people across Shropshire and beyond. This year’s event is looming and we are proud to say we will once again be part of it!
We have been a staunch supporter of Climbing Out and its founder Kelda Wood for many years and on October 9th our very own Richard Hughes, along with two friends, will be stepping up . . . and up, and up to the challenge by taking on the four, yes, four-mountain hike in Snowdonia.
The Climbing Out Snowdonia Challenge features easy, moderate and challenging routes, so there is something to suit hikers at all levels of ability, age and fitness. Hikers can opt to take on between one and four of Snowdon’s iconic mountains and it all happens in just one day!
Richard will be taking on the full Llyn Idwal, Y Garn plus Elidir Fawr to Deiniolen challenge totalling 16.5km and 928m ascent!
About Climbing Out
Kelda launched her Climbing Out charity 11 years ago to help people coming to terms with life-changing mental or physical trauma or illness. This is done in several ways, including walk and talk days which are designed to bring people who are facing similar challenges together and support them to regain their confidence by getting out and about.
Another major way the charity is making a difference is through its hugely successful five-day outdoor activity programmes aimed at helping people rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.
It takes money to achieve all this, to keep operating, provide invaluable help and support and continue making a massive difference in people’s lives. Kelda has played a major role in the fundraising efforts of course – who could forget the wonderful trans-Atlantic rowing challenge she completed?
Helping out Climbing Out
One of the charity’s big fundraisers is the annual hike which to date has included the Three Peaks Challenge, the Peak District Challenge and North Wales Ridge Challenge.
It is always well supported, a great opportunity to bring those who back and value the work of the charity and intrepid adventurers together for a great day out – as well as raising money for a truly wonderful cause.
So we will all be cheering on Richard and his pals on October 9th as they bid to go the extra mile – or two – for a great cause. And you can support them too – https://www.justgiving.com/climbingout
The chances are you know about Chrisbeon and what we do – but do you know where our showrooms are?
It may seem a daft question but we think it’s probably a safe bet that while you know about all the great products and services we provide – and have been doing so for more than 45 years, by the way – you probably don’t know how to find us!
It’s all here
We think that’s a real shame because we have two amazing showrooms at our Telford base which showcase exactly what we have to offer and provide a great opportunity to try before you buy – an essential service in ensuring you get exactly what you are looking for.
We moved into our Stafford Park home way back in 1990 but it’s probably safe to assume that more people now know where Greggs is on Stafford Park than where to find us! Yes, Greggs are one of our close neighbours, along with Screwfix, Toolstation and Topps Tiles – but we were here first!
One of the reasons for our relative anonymity is down to the level of business we do online and over the phone as we fulfill our commitments to deliver our quality products, including office furniture, stationery, printer consumables and a comprehensive range of office supplies, across the UK on a daily basis.
Our two large showrooms are home to a complete range of new and pre-loved furniture and supplies and we are proud to show off to visitors what we do and what we offer.
There’s so much to see
If you are looking to refit your office, home office, or just want a new or preloved desk or chair, the answer is in our showroom. We can also show you things like acoustic sound panels, innovative ideas for break-out hubs for open-plan offices and our amazing office designing and planning service – a 3D feature that shows you exactly what your new office will look like in reality.
We have been welcoming visitors to our showrooms under strict Covid guidelines for a while and are looking forward to hosting even more people now that these restrictions are being lifted – but we will still be mindful of coronavirus and will continue to ensure we do everything to keep our customers and staff safe as the world moves back to normality.
Office chairs
We highly recommend a visit to the showroom if you are looking for a new swivel office chair, as we have more than 50 chairs you can sit on/try for comfort, meaning you can better experience the chairs and find the right one for you – which can be difficult when ordering online.
The team at Chrisbeon is very excited about the future and keen to ensure you make that journey with us as we continue to build on the reputation we have developed over almost half a century of delivering top quality service and products.
Why not pop into our showroom at Units B2 & B3, Stafford Park 4, Telford, TF3 3BA. We would love to see you!
Widespread disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have meant that businesses and individuals have had to discover new ways of working….
And as we head towards the so-called ‘new normal’ it’s time to envisage what that will mean for the office!
The post-pandemic workplace
Following the events of 2020 and 2021 the wellbeing of employees in the workplace (or at home) has become a huge focus, and office furniture plays a very large role in that.
The most productive employees are those who feel comfortable and at home in the workplace and companies that don’t provide workers with the types of spaces that they need to manage the demands of work will see a negative impact on both wellbeing and productivity.
The modern office
The most effective and modern office spaces are characterised by division into different zones that support employees as they perform particular tasks – an office should be adjusted to employees and how they work and not the other way around.
If employers combine the right space with the right choice of functional furniture solutions by thinking about the role of the employees and what they are required to achieve, they will create a functional and productive modern office environment.
What spaces do employees need?
Depending on their job role your workforce needs a space where they can focus and concentrate but also a place where they can interact with others for meetings or training, presenting to clients….
Collaborative space is also beneficial – where do your team hold informal meetings, brainstorm sessions? If it is at their desk that is taking away their focus space when they are trying to concentrate.
A space to recharge
The canteen or break-out room is not a new idea but some employers are breaking it down a little more – a dining space where people can gather and chat as they eat but also a quiet room where employees can go if they are just looking for a little time to relax.
Although you may think the space you have is not big enough to incorporate everything, it is usually the case that when you begin thinking about it and redesigning there is a way to make it work.
Health and safety
Post-pandemic another important aspect of offices is health and safety – personal space that is protected…whether that be dividers, screens or other options, and protocols to protect all employees.
Now is the perfect time to think about adapting your space for the health and safety of your team, but also to think about the possibilities of making your office more modern and functional at the same time.
Do get in touch with us if you would like to have a discussion about the possibilities…..
Trends are changing all the time and nowhere is this more so than in the world of office furniture – which is why it is so important for us to keep our thinking up to date in order to meet the needs of our clients.
You could describe 2021 as a year of transition in the workplace, and the requirements of firms have undoubtedly evolved since the time before Covid. This year is seeing companies and their employees feeling their way back to normality while maintaining a degree of understandable caution.
This is central to the way businesses are viewing office furniture and what they are looking for to complement their working environment.
It’s a trending thing
The events of the past year and a half have had an effect on what activities actually take place in the office – and therefore a major impact on trends in office furniture.
The activities of an office reflect what furniture goes in there, for example, if regular one-on-one client meetings are held there is usually a small meeting room and if regular board meetings with a large number of stakeholders are held, there is likely to be a large boardroom table with electrical access for laptops and comfortable chairs for the long haul.
Many businesses that are coming back together in the workplace are doing so because they need to brainstorm, or work together – which is seeing more of a focus on rooms where people can have space but also be able to communicate.
The huge leap towards video conferencing has also had an impact on what was the growing trend of open-plan offices prior to March last year.
Those employees that would go out to meetings are now doing them online – and we have recently taken delivery of some silent sound booths that can be used in open-plan offices so staff can engage in their meetings without distractions and with a degree of privacy.
Home is where the office is
The home office trend remains a viable option for many employers and employees and creating the right working environment at home is essential for the remote workforce to carry out their jobs efficiently while helping to maintain good health and wellbeing.
It’s important to have the right equipment in place and make that home office as good a space as possible for productivity – we have supplied a number of sit-stand desks to homes to ensure employees are not sat at their computer all day. Productivity at home is something office furniture suppliers are very aware of and we are stepping up to the mark with a huge offering in terms of home office furniture to meet this growing demand.
Sustainability and technology
As a worldwide community, we’re becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the environment so sustainable office design and eco-friendly products are also a trend we are seeing – and of course with the soaring use of technology in recent years an office that incorporates day to day tech needs office furniture that complements that.
There is a lot to think about in terms of office design – and looking at the trends can often ensure you don’t miss a trick that would work really well for your business….
Our staff are some of the most experienced in the business and we have been introducing you to the team in our regular behind the scenes blogs…..
Next is our longest standing full-time member of staff (and our stationery and bespoke rubber stamp specialist) Elaine Pratt.
More than 30 years with Chrisbeon
Elaine has worked with us for 33 years, since 1987 when we were based in Priorslee. We moved to Stafford Park in 1990 and have been there ever since.
Elaine is our stationery guru and she has visited many stationery exhibitions over the years, where manufacturers release their new products.
Product knowledge
“It’s great as it keeps your product knowledge up-to-date,’ she told us, “Although, over the last few years, there have been fewer of these industry events put on.
“I mostly work in sales, serving customers, as we get a lot of the general public visiting our showroom to purchase stationery too, not just business customers.
“I take a lot of orders on the phone too, and love having a chat with customers.”
Long-standing customer relations
Elaine, who also sells some of our pre-loved furniture, has built up relationships with long-standing customers over the years, many of whom have turned into friends outside of work.
“One of my best friends outside of work is a customer from many years ago, who used to place weekly stationery orders with us,” she said.
“We used to regularly chat on the phone at work but now we spend time outside together when we can.
“I like it when the customers come in with different enquiries. It’s nice to see people and you get used to them and they get used to you too.
Stationery
“Lots of people really like stationery. I had one customer who came in who always wanted everything purple…so purple books, pens and even paper.
“I also enjoy helping people with their specialist stamps. Customers come in with a special logo or address that they want on a stamp and we mock up a proof and order it especially for them. It’s a popular service.”
We are really proud of the way Elaine builds such good relationships with our customers.
Thank you, Elaine, from everyone at Chrisbeon!
Do you, or your employees, need a new chair or desk at work? Did you know there is now help available from the Government to buy these essential office items?
Tax changes are rarely good news but this year’s budget saw Chancellor Rishi Sunak announce plans to encourage spending by introducing a super-deduction, providing great benefits and savings for companies on qualifying plant and machinery investments – and this includes office desks and chairs.
How does it work?
It means limited companies can claim 130% super-deduction capital allowance on office furniture bought between April 1st this year and March 31st 2023 – effectively reducing their tax bill by 24.7% of the amount they have invested in furniture and other qualifying assets.
The bottom line is, it’s a big incentive for firms looking to improve their office environment and getting staff back into the workplace after more than a year of Covid. It means now is a good time to buy those office desks and chairs or maybe invest in that office refurbishment you’ve been thinking about – but remember, the scheme will only run for two years!
The initiative is aimed at encouraging businesses to spend again to boost the economy which has been badly hit during the pandemic and it is hoped the new rules will be worth between £25bn and £30bn in new investment over the timescale of the scheme.
Great opportunity for businesses
It may sound a little complicated but it’s well worth looking into and provides a marvellous opportunity for businesses. For more information, the official Government Treasury factsheet has all the details and is available to view by accessing https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/967202/Super_deduction_factsheet.pdf
Chrisbeon is keen to support anything which will help kickstart the economy after the most challenging of times and believe this new scheme will be a great incentive in encouraging firms to invest in the future.
Complete range of office furniture, equipment and products
We offer a complete range of office equipment and stationery products and can provide everything you need from one desk or new chair right up to planning and providing your full office refurbishment – and now is the best time to act!
For more information about how we can help you with your office requirements, call our team on 01952 292606.
Working from home these last 12 months has been hard on so many people – for many different reasons.
One impact of the lockdown last March and the swift shift to home-working has been how working from the kitchen table or sofa has affected workers physically.
If you’ve been working from home and have noticed a lingering lower back pain this could be due to a combination of an inappropriate working environment and poor posture – and with remote working likely to continue it’s important that you do not ignore it.
What can you do to improve your lower back pain?
There are a number of things that you can do to help prevent lower back pain, from making changes to your posture to investing in specifically designed furniture. Here are some of our tips…
Make sure you’re looking at your screen with a straight neck.
Try not to look down at your laptop, computer or phone screen as this encourages bad posture which can cause neck and back pain. Try putting a pile of books underneath your screen so that you can bring it to eye height or – if you’re aiming for a more professional look – you can buy yourself a laptop stand or height adjustable desk. You could consider monitor arms – the least expensive option. We stock new ones and have received quite a few pre-loved ones recently, which have proved really popular.
Take regular breaks
You didn’t stay glued to your seat for your entire working day in the office so why should working from home be any different? Ensure that you’re getting up out of your chair and having a good stretch every now and then. It’s a perfect excuse for making a cup of coffee or a quick snack.
Perfect your posture and make sure you stretch!
We’re all guilty of hunching over whenever we’re writing a long email or leaning to the side to avoid the sunshine coming in through a nearby window, but maintaining a good posture, such as sitting upright, is key to combating back and shoulder pain.
For example, when you’re sat down try putting your bottom as far back in the chair as possible. You can also introduce regular stretching into your daily working routine.
Invest in a ‘proper’ chair
And no, the chair at your kitchen table doesn’t count as a ‘proper’ chair! If you’re really struggling with your lower back pain it may be worthwhile investing in an ergonomic or orthopaedic chair. These are specifically designed to support your body whilst sitting for long periods of time – like when you’re working!
If you are looking to make your working environment more comfortable or want to reduce the potential for problems with back, neck and shoulders amongst a workforce now working from home, please call into our Telford Showroom.
We would love to see you and chat through the options. You can’t beat personal face-to-face contact and it really is the best way to see and try out this all-important equipment before you buy. We are also happy to talk about your requirements over the phone, so please do give us a call on 01952 292606.
Offices come in all shapes and sizes and many customers can feel a little daunted at the prospect of fitting out larger premises and ensuring they get exactly what they want.
New and refurbished offices
Here at Chrisbeon we can handle any fitting or refurbishment for all sizes of offices. Big or small we work with them all, and after more than 40 years in the trade, we like to think we know what we are talking about.
The development of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has helped considerably and is a marvellous asset in producing 3D all-around vision of plans so clients can see exactly how their new office is going to look when it is completed.
Furniture Sales Manager
Helping to guide customers through the process is our furniture sales manager Jim Wilson. Jim has been with the firm 27 years – starting when he was just 16 – so there are few people out there in our industry who can match up to his level of expertise.
“I went to college and then arrived at Chrisbeon on a work placement that became permanent,” he said.
“I have done every job going, from working in the warehouse to full installations and helping existing customers who want more furniture. The biggest one I have ever done was supplying 300 desks to a local firm.
Friendly team
“The team here is very friendly and I think this comes across in our dealings with customers and helps to reassure them and put them at their ease, showing we have their best interests at heart.
“Every day is different. It is all about furniture but it is not the same job all the time and it’s the differences in dealing with the various challenges that are stimulating and then the satisfaction of seeing the end product and how pleased the customer is. You can’t beat that feeling.
“I also get to go out and about on installations and that suits me down to the ground. We are involved in all sorts of jobs. Home offices, small office refits and refurbishments, rejigging layouts and full office fit-outs.
Job satisfaction
“I get a lot of satisfaction when our plans are installed, it looks amazing and the customer is really happy – that’s where the job satisfaction comes in. When you have made someone’s dreary office look modern and amazing. That’s why I still love the job after 27 years.”
To chat to Jim about any furniture you need – or about the refurbishment of your office – give us a call on (01952) 292696.