How Urban Cleaning Transformed a Bristol Law Firm's Office Environment
When a mid-sized commercial law firm in Bristol city centre, approached Urban Cleaning in early 2023, they had a problem that was quietly costing them thousands of pounds a year: a poorly managed cleaning contract with a national provider that left staff dissatisfied and HR dealing with repeated complaints about hygiene in shared spaces.
The Challenge
The client occupy four floors of a modern office building near Bristol Temple Meads. With over 85 staff, two client-facing reception areas, a large kitchen and breakout space, and multiple meeting rooms used for sensitive legal consultations, maintaining a consistently high standard of cleanliness was non-negotiable.
Their previous cleaning provider was sending different operatives each week, using harsh chemical products that left strong odours in the office, and regularly skipping tasks like deep-cleaning the kitchen appliances and sanitising door handles. Staff survey results showed that 67% of employees felt the office was not clean enough, and HR had recorded a notable spike in short-term sickness absence.
Our Approach
Urban Cleaning began with a full site audit, walking the building floor by floor with the Office Manager to identify problem areas and understand how each space was used throughout the day. From this, we built a bespoke cleaning schedule that included:
- Daily early-morning cleans before staff arrived (6:00am-8:00am), covering all workstations, toilets, kitchen surfaces, and common areas
- A dedicated two-person team assigned exclusively to the site, so staff always recognised the same faces
- Eco-friendly, fragrance-free cleaning products certified under the EU Ecolabel, particularly important given that several staff members had reported sensitivities to the previous chemicals used
- Monthly deep-clean sessions targeting carpets, upholstered furniture, and behind fixed equipment
- A digital task-completion log accessible to the Office Manager, providing full transparency and accountability
The Results
Six months after switching to Urban Cleaning, the results were clear. An internal staff survey showed that satisfaction with workplace cleanliness had risen from 33% to 91%. The Office Manager, Sarah Mitchell, told us:
"The difference has been night and day. The team from Urban Cleaning are reliable, thorough, and genuinely care about the job they're doing. Our clients comment on how fresh and professional the offices look, and staff have stopped complaining. I only wish we'd made the switch sooner."
Key Takeaways for businesses across Bristol, Bath and the surrounding area
This case study highlights several lessons that apply to any business in Bristol and Bath or Bath reviewing its commercial cleaning contract:
Consistency matters. Staff trust and satisfaction increase significantly when the same cleaning team attends each visit. Familiarity breeds accountability.
Eco-friendly doesn't mean less effective. The switch to plant-based, low-odour products improved the air quality in the office and eliminated allergy complaints without any drop in cleaning performance.
Transparency builds trust. Providing the client with a digital task log removed ambiguity and meant any issues were flagged and resolved immediately.
A clean workplace reduces costs. Fewer sick days means greater productivity. Investing in professional contract cleaning often pays for itself in reduced absenteeism alone.
Ready to Transform Your Bristol and Bath Office?
If your current commercial cleaning contract isn't delivering the results your team deserves, Urban Cleaning can help. We offer free site assessments for businesses across Bristol, Bath and the surrounding area, with bespoke cleaning plans tailored to your space, your schedule, and your budget. Get in touch today to find out how we can make a difference to your workplace.
Interested in a similar result for your business? Explore our commercial cleaning service page, or contact us to book a free site assessment.
Interested in a commercial cleaning contract for your Bristol and Bath office? Explore our Commercial Cleaning services or get in touch for a free site assessment.
Related Reading
If this case study is relevant to your situation, our post on why contract cleaning is essential for Bristol and Bath businesses goes into the broader business case. You can also read our guide on how to choose the right cleaning company if you are currently reviewing your options.
Interested in a similar service for your Bristol office? Learn more about our commercial cleaning services in Bristol or get in touch to arrange a free site visit.