Smart-Space Instant Buildings provides fast and cost-effective solutions for a whole range of industrial and commercial applications.
Smart-Space is the trading name of the Portable Venues (Group) Ltd, which was incorporated in 1987. The present company evolved from unincorporated trading over the years since its inception in 1985.
Our underlying premise has always been to give you the building best suited to you.
The business is independently owned and operated in Britain. One of the main advantages of working with Smart-Space is that you get the benefit of years of experience from our team.
We are fairly unusual in this industry in that our staff are all directly employed by us; the Smart-Space team currently numbers more than 30 and are structured into specialist areas to ensure that our customers are always given the best possible service and support.
As the industry has progressed, particularly in areas such as Health and Safety and CDM regulations, so has Smart-Space. We ensure that we work to regulatory standards and work closely with the customers to conform to their own working practices.
The business was started in 1985 by Antony Hunt who is still the Managing Director and together with Jason Lynock (1995) will likely be your first point of contact to discuss your needs.
The Smart-Space senior management team is made up of Jason Lynock, Andy Freeman and Lee Brightmore. Their teams work together to provide you with an accurate solution and costing for your space problem
Antony sets the tone for the straight-talking culture at Smart-Space as someone who has knowledge, experience and is always direct and honest. As managing director, he has grown his successful business since 1985, developing different types of temporary and permanent buildings to suit the changing needs of customers. His ethos to ‘buy British’ filters through the company and is reflected throughout the business model.
An active member of the Smart-Space team, you are likely to find Antony involved in any day-to day dealings and he is very happy to give out his mobile number, welcoming the interaction with customers, colleagues and suppliers.
Jason is the sales director at Smart-Space and is the nerve centre of the operation. He is most likely to be your first point of contact, manages a cohesive and dedicated sales team and works seamlessly with the operations side of the business. He has risen through the ranks from site installer to second in command of a 40+ strong team so he really knows the business inside out.
He is positive, cheerful and demonstrates a can-do attitude that, after 25+ years with the business, is founded on sound experience and common sense. Jason is instrumental in product development and making sure the business is relevant and quick to respond to market needs.
Andy is responsible for the operations side of Smart-Space. Under his guidance are all of the facets of the business that bring sales plans to reality – from warehouse to maintenance and everything in between. Everything that is managed by operations is underpinned by rigorous compliance that includes risk management and health and safety.
Andy makes sure that every project runs smoothly by overseeing and integrating the different departments that make up the operations function.
Lee joined the Smart Space team in September 2019 to lead, grow and develop the finance department and also to provide support and champion finance across the wider business. Lee has been instrumental in developing new systems and has put a good team in place to focus on the company’s finance functions.
The flexible nature of our terms and agreements means that Lee works within the management team to ensure that agreements are correctly structured and have the in-built flexibility for which we are known.
Russ works directly with Andy Freeman, managing every aspect of each Smart-Space project. He will double check the details, confirm the project’s viability and navigate any challenges presented. These may call for particular approaches or the hire of specialist equipment. Whatever is needed, Russ is experienced enough to flag up and manage any eventualities.
One of Russ’s key strengths is keeping a project strictly to its proposed timeline. Once a build is complete, Russ is usually the point of contact for maintenance.
Ryan looks after compliance, both internally for the business and externally during the installation. There are many facets to compliance including ongoing risk assessment for the health and safety of every person involved, on and off site, all stock and equipment used, the build itself and subsequent removal. It covers everything from site surveys to PPE.
Ryan’s role is a combination of his experienced practical eye and written documentation that supports every project. As he says “we have accreditations in place to remind people of our exacting high standards – we do dangerous things very safely”.
Peter joined Smart-Space permanently in 2002 having worked for the company on a seasonal basis for a number of years.
He has an enormous wealth of experience with the temporary aluminium-framed structures.
Matt is our Warehouse Manager and he likes everything to be well organised, clean and tidy!
He has introduced new systems to our warehouse systems to make everything more efficient as it comes in and out of the business. Since taking charge Matt has introduced an improved cage-based storage system, automated stock control and the whole area is staffed by an enthusiastic, hard-working team.
Our consultant engineer Ross Vinter gets involved in many projects and works from initial design to project completion. He began working with Smart-Space in 2010 having had extensive experience with one of the foremost experts in cold formed steel buildings, understanding the dynamics of this type of engineering.
Ross also works with local authorities throughout the UK on customers’ behalf, making applications for planning permission and co-ordinating with building control departments together with environmental and highways departments. He also carries out exploratory work for any ground works which we undertake, and designs the concrete bases which are laid by our ground works teams.
Lisa ensures the Smart-Space's customers receive a responsive service from the entire team.
Lisa liases between the customer and the Smart-Space team, confirming schedules and tracking the project progress.
Janice is an integral member of the operations team, providing support and adminstrative assistance.
Sarah has a wealth of experience in transactional processing and is a valued member of the finance team.
Will Mason is Smart-Space’s site surveyor.
He attends site before the project is fully scoped to check for a number of issues – hazards, access, utilities, to obtain any drawings and do a general feasibility study.
His visits are backed up by CAD drawings, 3D visuals, desktop survey results and any other useful documentation he puts together in relation to the site.
Shaun works with Jason and Jamie in the sales team.
He is friendly and knowledgeable and able to advise on the best building solution for each unique situation. Our clients enjoy working with Shaun and trust him to come up with sensible ideas and good deals that suit them exactly.
Jamie is part of the sales team, working alongside Shaun and Jason.
His background, before Smart-Space, was in events and outdoor event structures so after a decade he knows a thing or two about temporary buildings!
He enjoys meeting our clients and talking them through the various options available, especially as he usually works directly with the decision-makers and business owners.
Once your order is placed, the day to day management of your project is in the hands of Russell, the contracts manager, who will liaise with you regarding the installation of your building. A site audit will be undertaken and Russell will supply you with information you require such as Method Statements, Risk Assesments and will advise on any requirements to conform to CDM regulations.
Throughout the project, progress is closely monitored centrally to ensure smooth running and achievement of milestones.
Just some of our directly employed, fully trained installation teams
The installation teams are led by experienced supervisors who are well-versed in the requirements for working on customers' premises. They are responsible for ensuring that the work meets our quality standards and that the site is a safe working area. Their flexible and meticulous approach is regularly commented on by our customers.
Smart-Space is a member of Safe Contractor, a leading health and safety pre-qualification assessment scheme, dedicated to promoting higher standards of competence and compliance in health and safety for all professions and sectors.
Feedback from our clients on our customer service
"We like the way Smart-Space performs. Everyone’s happy so we use them again and again"
“Give us just 7 - 28 days and we’ll give you the best building to suit your application and time frame - guaranteed”
- We are an ethical business and what we say, we will do. Our mission is to ensure we deliver what is the very best for our customer and NOT just what suits us.
- To this end we offer three very different temporary structures: temporary buildings, interim buildings, and permanent buildings. Our aim is to ensure you get the very best building for your use case.
- Our working practices, from initial scoping through to maintenance on rental building contracts, are designed to make sure your building is fit for purpose.
- We make our money purely by serving you. We do not sell leads. We do not subcontract. When you engage us on a contact it is wholly managed in house. We care about our customers.
- To this end all clients are invited to participate in confidential customer service and building rating surveys the aggregated results we publish on our site.
- We think we are the best, but it is what our customers say that counts, when you come to choose Smart-Space as your temporary building supplier.
© 2021 Portable Venues (Group) Ltd Trading as Smart-Space
Trading Address and Registered Office: Kingsbury Link, Trinity Rd, Piccadilly, Tamworth B78 2EX, Midlands UK.
Registered in England No 2171828. VAT No: GB 455 7954 03. Tel: 01827 330000 Fax: 01827 898600
