Project First has successfully completed a major 'design and build' package for the new Rickmansworth branch of Waitrose. The new store has a sales area of approximately 18,000 sq feet and is situated on the potentially difficult to access seventh level of a multi-storey car park, adjacent to Rickmansworth rail station. Due to the location of the store, Project First liaised with the local authority and LU (London Underground) over access. Also, with the sales floor still under construction (meaning there were restrictions on the areas where Project First could operate), and with access being four levels 'above' pavement level, the company designed, implemented and managed a system to transport the display fixtures from the point of delivery to their final positions on the floor.
Included in the development was the supply of all the new refrigeration plant, display cases, cold room equipment, alarm system and refrigerant detection for the sales floor and its support areas, as well as new cold store facilities located in the bulk stock area. Display cases and fixtures included Frozen Food, Fruit and Vegetable, Dairy, and Meat, while Project First also installed an ice-flaker, chilled salad display bar, and Delicatessen and Patisserie serve-over counters.
Project First also undertook full co-ordination and control of the roof top plant including refrigerated packaged units and various air-handling units.
Waitrose does not normally operate under the 'design and build' process and so worked in close liaison with Project First on this new store. In line with Waitrose's specifications, Project First designed the build to include three high temperature, one low temperature and one dual temperature package units all using EC fans, which reduced the HT condensing temperature from 43c to 42c and reduced the condenser TD to 10k.
On completion of this unusual and complicated assignment, Mark Stratford, Project First's Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to have completed such a challenging project and for the outcome to have been so successful. This is the first time we have worked with Waitrose on a project of this type and as my staff enjoyed the close liaison with Waitrose staff so much, we welcome and look forward to future collaborations with the company."
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