Lambert Smith Hampton - Retail Development - Sheffield,

Date: 22 Nov 2007

Commercial property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) have been instrumental in the reopening of Bramalls Gold Room, one of Sheffield's most esteemed and long standing jewellers, following devastating flood damage earlier this year.

The Building Consultancy Team at LSH was appointed to co-ordinate and oversee major renovation and reconstruction of the Gold Room, which has traded from its premises opposite the Sheffield Wednesday ground for 35 years.

Barry Smith, Head of Building Consultancy at LSH, explained: "The floods caused a phenomenal amount of damage to Bramalls Gold Room. We were called in to co-ordinate the restoration of the building, the major electrical and vital security systems, as well as the fixtures and fittings that gave the Gold Room its unique character.

The family owned jewellers, which boast England cricket captain Michael Vaughan among its customers, was forced to cease trading for the longest period in its history, after the flood waters reached four feet in June.

"Valuable stock was moved to a secure location as a temporary measure during the renovation," explained Barry Smith, "but it was imperative that the Gold Room was operational as quickly as possible. The doors were soon open to customers and business is now back to normal."

Michael Bramall, founder owner of the Gold Rooms, said: "I have never experienced anything like it in all my years at the Gold Room. The speed and scale of the destruction was unimaginable. I was fortunate to be in a position where I could retain my staff and involve them in the clean-up operation but we were unable to trade for three months.

"We were worried about the impact this would have on our regular trade but LSH's Consultancy Team did its utmost to ensure we were among the first affected businesses to reopen. Trade picked up as soon as we were back on our feet and some customers never even knew we had suffered in the floods."

Barry Smith added: "Bramalls' Gold Room and other businesses across the city have shown remarkable resilience following the floods. Despite an estimated £1.5 billion of damage across Yorkshire, most businesses have now reopened and the economy is once again thriving."

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