Gleeson to reopen all sites by the end of June

The Sheffield-based firm said initial on-site activity through May and June will focus on preparing site infrastructure and other ground-level works ahead of building.

It will begin to reopen sales offices this week on a regional hub basis and will have 19 sales offices covering all 67 sites open within two weeks. Visits to these regional hubs will be by appointment only.

The firm is talking to the communities in which it operates, including via social media channels, to keep them informed about the company's working protocols and revised operating procedures. On-site signage will provide a helpline phone number for residents to call should they have any concerns.

On April 6, Gleeson furloughed 456 employees in line with the Government's Job Retention Scheme, representing 76 per cent of its workforce.

Over the coming weeks it will begin to bring colleagues off furlough in line with the phased return to work. It hopes to have all furloughed colleagues back at work by the end of July.

Gleeson's chief executive James Thomson said: "We welcome the Government's assistance in facilitating our return to work to build much needed homes. It will be some time before we can accurately assess demand but we are encouraged by the level of interest from prospective buyers in just the last few days.

"Our segment of the market is typically the one that recovers the fastest."