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Soft Strip & Strip Out Contractor — Retail, Commercial & Public Sector Projects Across the UK
Specialist soft strip and strip out contractor delivering retail, commercial & NHS projects across London and the UK. Integrated waste management, fast turnaround, ISO-accredited. Discuss your project with The Shore Group.
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WHAT WE DO
Strip out Services
The Shore Group is a specialist soft strip and strip out contractor delivering safe, programme-driven clearance solutions for retail, commercial, industrial, residential and NHS environments across the UK. Founded in 2008 and operating from our Hove headquarters, our in-house delivery teams have completed strip out projects in live retail stores, occupied hospital settings, high-rise residential schemes and City of London commercial offices, always with zero disruption to the wider operation. Crucially, we don't just strip out — we build back. Our integrated strip out and fit-out capability means clients benefit from a single, accountable contractor across the full project lifecycle, eliminating the programme risk and coordination overhead of managing two separate teams.
Services
Our Strip Out services provide a full-service solution for refurbishment and building projects, from retail unit re-fits to commercial and residential transformations. Strip out work includes the controlled removal of non-structural fixtures, fittings, and internal partitions, preparing a clear and adaptable space for renovation. This critical stage allows builders and designers to progress smoothly and efficiently with the next phase of the project.
SCALABLE DELIVERY
Our skilled teams are able to undertake strip out work across all property types, including commercial, residential and industrial buildings. Using advanced tools and modern techniques, we ensure all strip out operations are carried out safely and efficiently, while minimising disruption to surrounding areas. Our flexible approach allows us to manage projects of varying size and complexity with consistent quality.
COMPLETE CAPABILITIES
We offer a comprehensive range of strip out services, including the removal of kitchens, bathrooms, ceilings, flooring and internal walls or partitions. In addition, we provide full waste management, ensuring all materials are handled responsibly and in accordance with environmental regulations. By overseeing the entire process, we offer a single-source solution that simplifies project coordination and delivery.
INTEGRATED STRIP OUT + FIT OUT - ONE CONTRACTOR, FULL PROJECT LIFECYCLE
Most strip out contractors stop at clearance. Shore Group doesn't. As part of The Shore Group's wider Maintain and Build service offering, we routinely provide the complete project journey, from initial strip out and internal demolition, through to the full fit-out, refurbishment, or new-build completion.
A single point of accountability means no handover risk between contractors, no programme gaps, and no disputes over scope at the strip/fit interface. Our in-house project managers, site supervisors, and trades teams carry the project through from vacant possession to operational handback, on time, on budget, and to a documented quality standard.
TAILORED PROJECT PLANS
Every project is designed to suit the individual requirements of our clients. We work closely with property owners, developers and project managers to create a detailed plan that considers the building’s age, layout and location, ensuring the strip out is completed efficiently and without complications.
RETAIL STRIP OUT - REFIT, CONVERSION & FLAGSHIP REFURBISHMENTS
Our retail strip out teams are experienced across every format of store clearance: high-street refit, largeformat DIY and superstore conversion, shopping centre unit handback, and flagship refurbishment. We have worked with some of the UK's most recognisable retail names — including B&Q, Tesco, Superdrug and AS Watson Group — delivering strip outs that run to tight programme windows without disrupting trading in adjacent units or common areas.
Speed is critical in retail. Our teams are deployable at scale — drawing on a directly employed workforce and an extended resource of 3,000+ operatives — meaning we can mobilise quickly and maintain consistent quality whether we're clearing a single kiosk or a 100,000 sq ft anchor store.
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL STRIP OUT - OFFICES, WAREHOUSES & MIXED-USE
From City of London commercial office refurbishments to large-scale industrial and warehouse clearances, our commercial strip out teams deliver to the programme, the budget, and the CDM requirements every time. We manage all aspects of the strip out process: pre-construction surveys and CDM coordination, temporary works where required, controlled removal of partitions, suspended ceilings, raised access floors, M&E services, and specialist fit-out finishes.
Our experience working alongside Tier 1 contractors — including Morgan Sindall, Kier, McLaren, and Galliford Try — means we understand the sequencing demands of complex schemes and integrate seamlessly into live project programmes. We are ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certified, SafeContractor approved, and registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
NHS, PUBLIC SECTOR AND LIVE ENVIRONMENT STRIP OUTS
Delivering strip out work in occupied or semi-occupied environments demands a different standard of contractor. Our teams are trained and experienced in NHS and healthcare strip outs, where infection control, noise management, safe working adjacent to clinical areas, and strict HTM compliance are nonnegotiable. We have completed specialist boiler room strip outs and mechanical plant removals within live NHS hospital settings, coordinating directly with estates and facilities management teams to ensure zero impact on clinical operations. The same disciplined approach applies to occupied offices, universities, hotels, and other live-environment commercial projects.
RESPONSIBLE WASTE MANAGEMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
Every Shore Group strip out includes fully managed waste clearance as standard. We hold the necessary waste carrier licences and operate in full compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011. Our waste management approach prioritises reuse and recycling ahead of disposal, with full duty of care documentation provided to clients at project close.
We provide transparent waste transfer and consignment notes for all materials removed — essential for clients with ESG reporting obligations, planning conditions, or BREEAM/SKA assessment requirements. Hazardous materials including asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and contaminated waste are managed through our specialist sub-contractor network, all of whom are verified and approved.
WHY THE SHORE GROUP FOR STRIP OUT?
Established in 2008 including over 15 years of strip out and soft demolition experience across retail, commercial and NHS sectors
Directly employed specialist workforce with access to 3,000+ operatives for scale projects
ISO 9001 · ISO 14001 · ISO 45001 certified · SafeContractor Approved · Considerate Constructors registered
Integrated strip out and fit out under one roof. No programme gaps, single point of accountability
Track record with Tier 1 clients: B&Q, Tesco, Morgan Sindall, McLaren, Kier, Galliford Try, UK Parliament
Full waste management included as standard, with duty of care documentation for every project
RELATED SERVICES
Expert services delivered on a standalone basis or as integrated turnkey solutions design specifically for your project.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a soft strip out?
A soft strip out (also called a soft strip or internal strip out) is the controlled removal of non-structural elements from a building — including fixtures, fittings, internal partitions, suspended ceilings, raised access floors, carpets, M&E services and joinery — while the structural frame, external walls and loadbearing elements are retained. A soft strip is the most common approach for commercial refurbishments, retail refits and residential conversions where the goal is to clear the space for renovation without full demolition.
What is the difference between a soft strip and a hard strip?
A soft strip removes only non-structural elements (finishes, fittings, services) and is the standard approach for most refurbishment projects. A hard strip goes further, removing structural elements such as internal load-bearing walls, concrete floors or structural steelwork, and typically requires engineering input and formal structural assessment. Shore Group delivers both soft strip and full strip out services depending on project requirements.
How long does a commercial strip out take?
Strip out timescales vary significantly by project size and complexity. A single retail unit (1,000–3,000 sq ft) can typically be stripped in 3–5 days. A large-format retail store or multi-floor commercial office may require 2–4 weeks. We provide a detailed programme and resource schedule at tender stage so clients have full visibility before works begin.
Do you manage waste removal as part of the strip out?
Waste management is included as standard in all Shore Group strip out contracts. We hold the relevant waste carrier licences, operate in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and provide full duty of care documentation for all materials removed. We prioritise reuse and recycling ahead of disposal and can support clients with ESG reporting, BREEAM and SKA waste data.
Do you also carry out the fit-out after the strip out?
Yes — and this is one of Shore Group's key advantages. As part of the wider Shore Group, our strip out teams work alongside our retail projects, contractor works and property works divisions to deliver the complete project journey. Clients benefit from a single contractor across the full lifecycle, eliminating handover risk and programme gaps between strip and fit.
Which sectors do you work in?
Our strip out teams work across retail (high-street, superstore, shopping centre), commercial offices, industrial and warehouse facilities, residential and mixed-use developments, public sector and NHS buildings, and data centre environments. We work across London, the South East and the wider UK.
OUR CLIENTS
CASE STUDIES
