Go-Gum Limited

10/08/2020

THE GO GUM GROUP CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Celebrating Twenty Years in Business

On the 8th August, the Go-Gum Group celebrates twenty years in business. Whilst we blow out the twenty candles on our birthday cake, we thought now would be a good time to recap the history and significant events of the company, these past two decades.

2000
Go-Gum Limited is founded by Rob Dixon and offers chewing gum and graffiti removal services and products. The flagship product in 2000 is the ground-breaking Go-Gum Enviraclean Machine, a hot water pressure washing systems specifically designed for safe chewing gum removal and graffiti removal.

2004
The company introduces its first high-tech coating – easy-on™ – a clear, permanent durability coating, which is solvent-free, class ‘0’ coating, which emits no toxic or flammable fumes or vapours and contains no isocyanate curing agents. easy-on™ proves to be an exceptional durability coating, resisting damage not only from paint and marker pen but also scuffs, shoe marks, surface impacts and stains.

Go-Gum Limited help Simon Hughes MP launch his bid for Mayor of London Campaign during the Greater London Assembly and European elections in June.

British Waterways chose Go-Gum Enviraclean Machines for graffiti removal operations up and down the UK canal network.

2005
Go-Gum Limited’s easy-on™ Durability Coating is selected by Wembley National Stadium Limited to help protect the new national stadium.

London’s largest single landlord, Tower Hamlets, choose easy-on™ Durability Coating for walls and ceilings in communal areas.

2006
To compliment easy-on™, Go-Gum introduces a sister product – easy-guard™ – a revolutionary new fire retardant coating that is compatible with easy-on™, or can be used as a standalone fire retardant coating.

easy-on™ is proven to help prevent the spread of superbugs such as MRSA. easy-on™ offers bacteria-resistant effects that last up to twenty years, regardless of how many times the coated surface is cleaned.

2007
The company launches the Gum-Grafter and Grime-Grafter, both completely self-contained safe chewing gum removal and steam cleaning systems.

2008
The year is marked by the launch of the revolutionary Pave-Saver. This solvent free, water based impregnation solution can be applied to masonry floor surfaces likely to suffer from chewing gum deposits, staining and weathering.

Hammersmith and Fulham Homes, working in partnership with the council to manage homes for tenants and leaseholders in Hammersmith and Fulham, specify the combination easy-on™ and easy-guard™solution as part of their Decent Homes Programme.

2009
South Lakeland District Council specify Pave-Saver, as part of their re-generation scheme, incorporating a bronze statue immortalising the comedy genius of Laurel and Hardy which is situated outside the Coronation Hall theatre, in the town of Ulverston.

Pave-Saver protects Europe’s largest urban Shopping Centre – The Westfield Centre.

2010
World famous Department Store Harrods, gets tough on Chewing Gum with help from Go-Gum Limited.

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s Housing Department, who manage and maintain around 20,000 homes, choose easy-on™ to help protect their vast housing stock.

2011
Three Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO Street Cleaning and Pavement Cleaning systems are introduced offering diverse cleaning functionality, ranging from general street cleansing, through to full clean-capture capabilities.

The Leyton Links Olympic regeneration scheme, one of a number of projects that the council will be delivering as an Olympic host borough, choose Pave-Saver to help keep the Olympic Park approachclean during the 2012 Olympic Games and beyond.

2012
A busy year sees Go-Gum launch three new products to the market. Firstly a heavy duty, commercial quality, Tarmac restoration paint and Asphalt refurbishment product – Back to Black Tarmac Restoration Paint – that not only re-colours faded and worn tarmac surfaces but also helps to increase the life span of the surface.

Later in the year Wall-Saver joined the line-up alongside Pave-Saver. Like its sister product, Wall-saver is an impregnation treatment that provides high performance, long life protection against airborne pollutants and weathering and also facilitates the removal of graffiti.

2013
Go-Gum Limited Deep Clean 48,000 sq. Metres of Sheffield City Centre Paving on behalf of Amey PLC.

2014
The £7m Didcot Parkway Interchange improvement programme gets the Go-Gum deep clean treatment.

2015
Working in partnership with one of the City of London’s main contractors Go-Gum undertook a post construction clean to a brand new paving scheme of approximately 1,382sqm of York Stone Paving. The scheme was adjacent to the world famous Central Criminal Court of England and Wales better known as the ‘Old Bailey’.

2016
This year sees several education projects for institutions including: Moat Community College; St. Augustine’s C of E Secondary School and City of Bath College.

2017
April 2017 saw the introduction of a new division – Surface Solve – expanding the Go-Gum Group. This new brand was formed to build on the long term success achieved by Go-Gum Ltd, concentrating on all other varied surface cleaning and surface protection services our customers require. Go-Gum Ltd handles all the product sales and safe chewing gum removal services, with Surface Solve operating all other surface cleaning and surface protection services.

2018
Bramall Lane Stadium, home to Sheffield United Football Club and the Carrow Road Stadium, home to Norwich City FC both get the Go-Gum treatment ahead of the new season.

2019
This year sees several retail projects for clients including: Costco; Sutton BID; Thurmaston Shopping Centre and Love Loughborough BID. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and The City of Londoninvest in Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO new Hot Water Pressure Washing systems.

2020
With a global pandemic sweeping the world, Surface Solve Limited, part of the Go-Gum Group shift focus to help tackle the lethal COVID-19 Coronavirus with new Chlor-Kill steriliser product and Outdoor Sterilising Service for all external hard surface areas.

Despite the uncertain times that we’re all currently facing, the Go-Gum Group remain committed to ensuring a cleaner environment for all, through the development and use of innovative, eco-friendly products and services.

https://www.getridofgum.com/20th-anniversary-safe-chewing-gum-removal/

20/04/2020

SURFACE SOLVE READY TO HELP FIGHT CORONAVIRUS

In an effort to help the NHS and UK authorities to contain and slow the rate of Coronavirus COVID-19 infections, Surface Solve, part of the Go-Gum Group, have shifted our focus to help tackle this lethal virus.

The Go-Gum Group Managing Director Rob Dixon explains: “We have assembled a consortium of manufacturers, suppliers and leading industry experts in an effort to combine our collective knowledge to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“In ordinary times, we typically spend a great deal of time deep cleaning large outdoor areas and public spaces. It made sense to see if we could put these skills to use during this national crisis. As of today, we’re offering our highly trained and fully accredited operatives, with our existing equipment, combined with Chlor-Kill steriliser, to help in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic with our Outdoor Sterilising Service for all external hard surface areas.”

SURFACES FOR TREATMENT
• Paving
• Concrete
• Natural Stone
• Stainless Steel
• Ceramic
• Porcelain
• Wood
• And many other hard surfaces

TYPICAL AREAS OF USE
• NHS Hospital Campus’
• Temporary Hospitals
• Government/Council Facilities
• Transportation Hubs
• Supermarkets
• Critical Infrastructure
• Permitted Shopping Areas
• Town Centre Hubs

Our Outdoor Sterilising Service is not limited to the areas listed above. We can effectively sterilise any large outdoor area and have the flexibility to be able to work day or night.

Despite the overwhelming majority of the population adhering to the government advice to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, there are still essential workers who need to travel. There will inevitably be ‘hotspots’ in our towns and cities where there remains relatively high levels of pedestrian foot traffic, with hospitals, transportation hubs and supermarkets being prime examples.

Surface Solve, and the rest of the Go-Gum Group are ready to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in any way that we can, for as long as is needed.

We are also able to offer sterilising and disinfecting services and alternative sterilising solutions for other areas not suitable for the application of Chlor-Kill. Chlor-Kill is also available for sale. For more information, please email us on info@getridofgum.com

https://www.getridofgum.com/fight-against-covid-19/

27/01/2020

CLEAN NEW LOOK FOR HERTFORDSHIRE NEW TOWN BID

Street Cleaning Undertaken for Hemel Hempstead Business Improvement District

Hemel Hempstead is a historic town in Hertfordshire, which was later developed as a new town. Located 24 miles northwest of London, it is part of the Greater London Urban Area and has a population of circa 95,000 (2011 census). Hemel Hempstead BID is a business led body formed to improve a defined area of the town helping, amongst other things, to boost the visitor experience.

In late 2019 Hemel Hempstead BID contacted the Go-Gum Group in order to establish what type of cleaning operation would be most efficient in order to maximise the return on their budget. We began with an initial FREE, no obligation site survey in order to fully assess the situation in and around the Marlowes and Bank Court areas of Hemel Hempstead town centre.

Following the site survey and after discussions with the team at Hemel Hempstead BID, it was decided to undertake street cleaning operations to a 1.5m strip of stone paving on both sides of the street, directly outside shops and businesses, in the Marlowes area, plus a full deep clean to 520m² hard paving within the Bank Court area.

Two operatives from the Surface Solve Ltd division of the Go-Gum Group worked for three consecutive nights, minimising disruption to both business in the area as well as members of the public. Using our Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO hot water low pressure steam cleaning machine, our team deep cleaned all of the paved areas specified, leaving them fully cleansed and looking renewed. No chemicals were used during the cleaning operations as the Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO is effective in removing all types of pollution, dirt, grime and discarded chewing gum with just steam.

Commenting on the project, Go-Gum Group Managing Director Rob Dixon said:”Hemel Hempstead BID are always looking for every opportunity to improve Hemel Hempstead for businesses, residents, visitors and those who work in the town. We’re delighted to work with another BID (Business Improvement District) on yet another high profile Street Cleaning project.”

https://www.getridofgum.com/street-cleaning-for-hemel-hempstead-bid/

21/01/2020

WHOLESALE CLEAN-UP FOR SHEFFIELD STORE

Costco Wholesate operates a chain of membership style warehouses, under the “Costco Wholesale” name, bringing their members the best possible prices on quality, brand-name merchandise, at locations throughout the UK.

In November 2019 we were contacted by long-time client Costco to undertake a deep clean and chewing gum removal operation at their Sheffield store. The concrete aprons surrounding the store and the foyer entrance area had become badly affected by discarded chewing gum, dirt, grime and general detritus.

A Street Cleaning Team from the Surface Solve Ltd division of the Go-Gum Group was dispatched to Sheffield, South Yorkshire to undertake the project at short notice. Using our Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO hot water low pressure steam cleaning machine, we deep cleaned all of the concrete aprons surrounding the Costco Warehouse site in Sheffield, as well as tackling the concrete floor in the foyer area. No chemicals were used in the cleaning operations as the Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO is effective in removing dirt, grime, pollution and discarded chewing gum with just hot water steam.

Our team were able to both work at short notice, and work between the hours of 8pm and 6am, in order to minimise disruption to the business and their customers. A two-person team from our Surface Solve Ltd Street Cleaning Team completed the deep clean, to our usual high standard, in just one night, to the delight and satisfaction of the client.

Commenting on the Costco job, Go-Gum Group Managing Director Rob Dixon said: “We’ve been working with Costco since 2014 and are happy to accommodate their specific requirements. Be it a graffiti removal job, chewing gum removal work, cleaning concrete, or a general deep cleaning task, we’re happy to work at night to avoid any disruption to their day-to-day business operations.”

https://www.getridofgum.com/cleaning-concrete-for-costco/

25/09/2019

SUTTON BID SUCCESSFULLY REMOVES CHEWING GUM
Surface Solve Sees Success with a Flexible Approach

Successful Sutton Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent, non-profit organisation led and funded by businesses with the aim of helping to make Sutton Town Centre a better place to live, work, shop and do business.

In late July 2019, following an initial consultation and comprehensive FREE site survey, a Street Cleaning Team from the Surface Solve Ltd division of the Go-Gum Group was despatched to Sutton Town Centre to undertake localised chewing gum removal operations to 2,460m² of heavily trafficked paving.

Typically on projects of this nature, our Street Cleaning Teams use our versatile, state-of-the-art Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO hot water pressure washer cleaning machines to quickly and safely remove carelessly discarded chewing gum mess. The team at Successful Sutton BID asked that we undertake the chewing gum removal operations during peak daytime hours for maximum visibility, so local people and businesses could see the environmental improvement work as it progressed. This request meant that our operatives couldn’t close down sections of paving for wide-scale cleaning operations as this would disrupt pedestrians and businesses alike. A different approach was required, so our team utilised Backpack Chewing Gum Removal Machines to accommodate the client’s request.

Two operatives from Surface Solve Ltd worked during daytime hours, for a total of seven working days, using the Backpack Machines to spot treat the chewing gum deposits and were able to work in and amongst pedestrians, shoppers and commuters. The machines work by heating small amounts of an environmentally friendly cleaning solution to create a vapour which, together with the heat, breaks down the baked-on chewing gum blight. The cleaning solution is manufactured from renewable sources and is based on a sugar surfactant rather than an oil based surfactant, making it completely bio-degradable and safe to use on all surfaces.

Whilst the Backpack Machines do not offer the same speed and versatility as our Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO hot water pressure washer cleaning machines, as the project was spot removal of chewing gum only, not a full deep clean, they proved equal to the task and gave the client the flexible and visible approach that they required.

Commenting on this latest Business Improvement District project, Go-Gum Group Managing Director Rob Dixon said: “The project for Successful Sutton BID was for localised chewing gum removal only, not a full pavement deep clean. By using the Backpack Chewing Gum Removal Machines we were able to successfully remove all of the chewing gum blight from the Sutton Town Centre area with virtually no disruption to pedestrians and businesses at all.”

https://www.getridofgum.com/backpack-chewing-gum-removal-machines/

29/08/2019

BACK TO SCHOOL

With the new school year just around the corner, now seems like a good time to look back at a couple of projects in the education sector, one for an Academy School and the other for a City College.

In March 2017, the senior leadership team at Richmond Park Academy contacted the Go-Gum Group with a view to securing our specialist chewing gum removal services.

Our specialist chewing gum removal machines operate at high temperatures and low pressures and are capable of deep cleaning any substrate effectively without causing any damage. Most of the deep cleaning and specialist chewing gum removal services were focused mainly on the extensive tarmac areas on campus.

In areas where the tarmac was badly worn, we used specialist macadams cleaning equipment which is designed for highly sensitive surface restoration. In total, the Go-Gum team deep cleaned approximately 3,144m2 of tarmac and paving in and around the Richmond Park Academy school campus: https://www.getridofgum.com/specialist-chewing-gum-removal-richmond-park/

The City of Bath College is a well respected Further Education college in the centre of Bath, Somerset and 2017 marks 125 years of further education at the institution.

In preparation for this historic anniversary, the facilities management team at the college contacted us and asked for our help and expertise with a deep clean to 1,000 square metres of ground surface, in and around the city centre campus.

We despatched a two-man team to the City of Bath College and worked whilst the campus was closed for the 2016 Christmas Holidays. Our team worked during normal daytime working hours, utilising our specialist high temperature, low pressure cleaning systems: https://www.getridofgum.com/city-of-bath-college-tarmac-cleaner/

Go-Gum Group's specialist chewing gum removal team - Surface Solutions and Services - removed chewing gum from 3,000m² of tarmac at Richmond Park Academy.

22/08/2019

SURFACE SOLVE LIMITED

Surface Solve Ltd operate as the contracting services arm for the Go-Gum group and deliver services in Street cleansing, graffiti removal, surface deep cleaning, surface restoration, post construction cleaning, factory and warehouse deep cleaning, surface protection and resin bound surfacing and groundworks.

Established in 2017, Surface Solve offer a nationwide one stop shop when it comes to surface cleaning and protection and offer expertise and support to clients typically within the local authority, highways, transportation, Business Improvement District, construction, education, retail and commercial sectors.

The deep cleaning systems used by our network of cleaning teams are carefully chosen to meet the varied demands of today’s cleaning environment and are operated by highly trained accredited personnel.

Surface Solve are continuously looking for new innovative solutions to add value, improve and adapt to the cleaning service industries ever changing demands. We are able to apply a wide variety of surface cleaning and surface protection products, many of which are currently being used in high profile locations throughout the UK. For all contract cleaning and surface protection service enquires please phone the Go-Gum Group Head Office on 0207 566 3988.

https://www.getridofgum.com

15/08/2019

With the new football season having just kicked off, now seems like a good time to to last season and our work at Bramhall Lane, home of Sheffield United. We cleaned and renovated their ‘front of house’ area, immediately outside the main entrance to the ground, in-between their home fixtures: https://www.getridofgum.com/black-tarmac-paint-sheffield/

We also worked with Norwich City FC at their Carrow Road Stadium where Pave-Saver was selected for the task of protecting 1,200m² of newly laid Kellen Paving, following a light post construction clean: https://www.getridofgum.com/norwich-city-fc-paving-sealer/

Back of the net!

12/08/2019

LOUGHBOROUGH LOVES SURFACE SOLVE

First mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, Loughborough is now the second largest town in the county of Leicestershire and home to the world famous Loughborough University, which consistently ranks in the Top Ten British universities each year.

The Love Loughborough project is managed by Loughborough’s Business Improvement District (BID), with the aim of bringing life back to the High Street by helping to improve the trading environment for local businesses and the wider local community.

One aspect of their on-going remit is to help improve the appearance of pedestrianised, leisure and retail areas within the town centre. With chewing gum mess, graffiti scrawl and general dirt and detritus being a blight on any town’s landscape, Love Loughborough are always looking at ways to clean up and improve their environment for the benefit of all those who work in, live near and visit the town centre.

Whilst researching the best way to clean block paving, tarmac areas and the more typical concrete paving slabs found on most UK high streets, Surface Solve Limited, part of the Go-Gum Group came to the attention of the Love Loughborough BID Ambassador, Celine Patel.

Following an initial consultation and comprehensive FREE site survey, the Surface Solve Limited street cleaning team were tasked with a large scale deep clean to several areas of the town centre area. In total, just over 11,340m² of the Business Improvement District were scheduled to be fully cleansed during a two week period in July 2019.

The areas schedules for deep street cleaning operations comprised block paving, concrete slab pavements and tarmac pedestrianised areas:

• Market Place: 4,500m² (Paving)
• Bedford Square and Wards End: 637m² (Paving)
• Devonshire Square: 870m² (Paving)
• Cattle Market: 1,130m² (Paving)
• Church Gate and Biggin Street: 650m² (Paving)
• Swan Street: 773m² (Paving)
• High Street and Baxter Gate: 2,784m² (Tarmac)

In order to complete the task on-time, the Surface Solve Limited street cleaning team despatched two operatives, using two, state-of-the-art Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO hot water pressure washer cleaning machines, working night shifts so as to minimise disruption to the businesses in the areas to be cleaned. Particular attention was paid to heavily soiled areas around public seating, bus stops and bins as typically these were in an extremely poor state of cleanliness.

It was clear from the outset of the project that the Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO hot water pressure washer machines were the best way to clean block paving, concrete paving slabs and tarmac areas as the extensive works took just nine night shifts to fully cleanse.

Commenting on this latest Business Improvement District project, Go-Gum Group Managing Director Rob Dixon said: “From the outset, we liaised with the Love Loughborough BID Ambassador on a regular basis, so as to ensure the works were completed on-time, to the satisfaction of all parties, ensuring minimal disruption for the people and businesses of Loughborough.” He went on to say: “The results speak for themselves with our joint efforts receiving attention from the wider community and even the BBC!”

Speaking about the project, Loughborough BID Ambassador, Celine Patel said: “From start to finish, all individuals involved in the onsite surveying and hot washing the town assisted our company with great work ethic and were a pleasure to work alongside. The managing director (Rob Dixon) was a great communicator and was always keen to update myself with how the work was going. The contractors did an amazing job improving the appearance of Loughborough Town Centre, it’s made a lot of difference. I would highly recommend this company”.

https://www.getridofgum.com/best-way-to-clean-block-paving/

24/07/2019

RETAIL PARK GETS CHEWING GUM REMOVAL THERAPY

Thurmaston Shopping Centre is located five miles north of Leicester City centre, perfectly located to serve the people of Leicester and the surrounding area, offering easy hassle free out of town retail shopping and dining.

The retail park was developed by Charles Street Buildings and comprises approximately 175,000 sq.ft of retail space. Current tenants at Thurmaston include major blue chip, high street brands like Boots, M&S, Next, O2, Starbucks and McDonald’s. The full list of retailers at Thurmaston includes:

• Outfit
• Next
• Sports Direct
• TK Maxx
• Boots
• Poundland
• Dunelm
• M&S Foodhall
• Bathstore
• O2
• Carphone Warehouse
• Pizza Hut
• Starbucks
• McDonald’s

In June 2019, managing agents for the Thurmaston Shopping Centre, APB Property Consultants, contracted Surface Solve Ltd, part of the Go-Gum Group, for a full chewing gum removal and deep clean to the block paving, paving slabs and tarmac areas surrounding the shopping centre and it’s main concourse.

Our Surface Solve Limited street cleaning team despatched a single operative, a single Go-Gum Lanceman DiBO hot water pressure washer cleaning machine and a Banksman to help with safety and on-site night time security. All of the chewing gum removal operations and deep cleaning tasks were completed during five consecutive nightshifts so as to minimise disruption to both the retail businesses at the Thurmaston Shopping Centre and their patrons.

In all, the chewing gum removal and full pavement cleaning operations covered approximately 1,172m2 of mixed paving and tarmac. All of the discarded chewing gum mess was successfully removed and all of the areas which were fully cleansed were returned to their former glory.

Commenting on the project, Go-Gum Group Managing Director Rob Dixon said: “This was a fairly typical job for our Surface Solve Limited street cleaning team. We have nearly two decades experience in safely, efficiently and effectively removing carelessly discarded chewing gum. Using our expert knowhow and safe, environmentally friendly equipment, the heavily trafficked pedestrian areas were fully cleansed in just five working nights.”

https://www.getridofgum.com/shopping-centre-chewing-gum-removal/