Structural steel company REIDsteel has announced a limited to return to work at its manufacturing facility in Christchurch later this month.

The decision to recommence some of its operation from Monday, April 27, follows an extensive review of its steel handling and manufacturing procedures to find a way of helping those who cannot work from home back into full time work.

The company is also working on plans that will allow its site teams including subcontractors to return to construction sites.

The announcement offers a glimmer optimism that the wider economy may be able to begin rebooting.

Managing director Simon Boyd said: “When the lockdown was announced, we immediately took the decision to send all our people home to stop any potential spread of the virus and to give us time to consider alternative measures.

“As government has advised we should do, we have been working on plans to find a way to re-open the factory and our construction sites to allow those who cannot work from home back to work while still respecting the hygiene and social distancing guidelines.”

“The reopening of some construction sites is happening in the wider economy and we are working on our safety plans to put forward to our contracting partners.

“We hope to reach agreement on these over the coming few weeks so that some, if not all the sites can reopen in early May."

Mr Boyd added: “It is a great relief that we have found a way forward to meet the requirements and re-open our factory and works following the three-week shutdown.

“A number of special measures will be taken, and these will be explained to our team in detail before any work commences."

REIDsteel employs 130 staff.

The company recently won residential planning consent from BCP Council for its site off Bargates which allow its relocation to Bournemouth Airport.