Page 48 - CFJ_Apr26

CASE STUDIES

HOTEL FLOORING

‘IVC Commercial Floors help SEND students to thrive’

VC COMMERCIAL heterogeneous vinyl partnered with contractor Falcon Flooring bedrooms, a laundry room and a reception
Ifloors have been chosen for two projects to donate the supply and installation of area, to allow students to gain experience
in the Thrive programme, Whitbread’s IVC Commercial flooring in these pods. in a safe, simulated space during their
decade long support of young people with Says the company: ‘Isafe 70 was course. Each year, cohorts of students
special educational needs and disabilities. selected as the most appropriate floor for start their journey with Premier Inn
Through its Force for Good sustainability the task. This R12 slip-resistant range through a supported internship, and they
strategy, leading hospitality business comes in a range of attractive designs, will be based in a Premier Inn site close
Whitbread has run a decade-long Thrive with Oak Herringbone and Odin Polished to the college for nine months. Successful
programme at two post-16 Special Steel chosen for new mini Premier Inn completion of the internship can lead to
Educational Needs and Disabilities training sites. permanent employment for the interns.
(SEND) establishments, Derwen college ‘Equipped with Hypergrip technology Rachel Howarth, chief people officer
in Oswestry, and Hereward college in and a 0.70mm wearlayer for a floor that’s of Whitbread, says: ‘Thrive is a shining
Coventry. easy to maintain and durable, Isafe 70 example of how business can lead the
On-site are mini Premier Inn hotels that helps to ensure the pods are the perfect way in making employment more inclusive
serve as training centres for students to training environment for SEND students and accessible to all.
gain real experience in hospitality and taking their first steps in a pathway to ‘At Whitbread, we believe there should
bridge the disability employment gap. paid employment.’ be no barriers to entry and no limits to
The employer-led initiative equips young Jake Parks, national sales manager ambition — and Thrive proves that when
people with special educational needs commercial, IVC, says: ‘Whitbread’s Thrive employers step up, real change happens.
and disabilities (SEND) with the skills, programme is a valuable contribution None of this would be possible without
confidence and pathways they need to in fostering equality within society. Of the hard work of our partners, colleagues
secure meaningful work. Many will go on course, when we learnt of Thrive and the and local communities, and I want to
to progress into supported internships or need for performance flooring solutions thank everyone who has helped bring it
permanent roles in Premier Inn hotels. for off-site constructed pods at two of its to life.’
Thrive has now expanded to two further four colleges, we were only too happy to www.ivc-commercial.com
SEND establishments in Lincoln and Wirral play a part by donating to this worthwhile
Peninsula, with off-site bathroom and initiative.’ To read more from IVC COMMERCIAL - visit
bedroom pods built being utilised. IVC has Each mini Premier Inn has three the Brand Leaders section on our website

Heterogeneous vinyl floors

48 CFJ April 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
@CFJMagazine