Retail

CO-OP food store re-fit, Broad Lane, Liverpool

Project: The brief from the client was to form and fit-out a new, smaller convenience store, including all back-of-house areas, within part of the existing Co-op superstore whilst allowing all areas outside the new store perimeters to be utilised as individual trading premises. The whole property, including that taken up by the Co-op, has been sold to a company called Home Bargains who will be the Co-op’s landlord and will use some of the other units for themselves as well as renting some out. The project was carried out and completed whilst the existing store was trading with the works split into three phases as briefly outlined below.

Overall Programme Timescale - 17 weeks with an O/A value of £652k.

Enabling works – Working direct for Co-op (2 weeks - £30k):

• Enabling works to existing superstore prior to commencement of main works to allow existing store to continue trading, including installation of new temporary entrance doors, etc.

Phase 1 works – Working for Co-op Property through Project Management Company (9 weeks - £467k):

• All construction/builders works which included full height fire-rated compartment walls to form new retail units including that occupied by the Co-op. The other builders works included construction of a plant room, supply and installation of drainage and ducts for incoming mains.
• All refit works which were to form a shell ready for the end refit which was the supply and installation of all the fixtures and fittings. The refit works included partitions, fire barriers, suspended ceilings, resin and vinyl flooring, new shop-front incorporating auto doors and roller shutters.

End Refit works – Working direct for Co-op:

• Management of the supply and installation of the fixtures and fittings to the empty shell including refrigeration, shelving, kiosks and checkouts and all merchandising aids.
• New store relaunch, existing store closure.

Phase 2 works – Working for Co-op Property through Project Management Company (4 weeks - £135k):

• All Construction/Builders works which included full height fire rated compartment walls to form shared access corridor to holding/loading bay area, demolition of part of 1st floor reinforced concrete slab including build of support wall, forming secure holding cage, forming bin store and new holding/loading bay rear access doors and ramp.
• All M&E works associated with the above builders works which included removal of existing and installation of new as required.

Phase 3 works – Working for Co-op Property through Project Management Company (2 weeks - £20k):

• The stripout of all M&E to all areas not included in Phase 1 & 2.
• Installation of new M&E (minimal) to above areas to ensure standards meet new landlord's expectations/contract agreement.

Brief scope of works for fitout

- External
Remove the existing shop-front including roller shutters and glazing and replace all with new, installation of new auto sliding door, repairs to the fascia, repairs to the roof and external decoration.

- Internal Sales floor
Remove all existing fixtures and fittings and refrigeration, install new resin and vinyl flooring, install new partitions and suspended ceilings, lighting and power, replace existing kiosk including backline and checkouts, installation of new fixtures and fittings, installation of new remote refrigeration cases cladding to exposed walls and columns and decoration.

- Sales Floor Bakery
Installation of new CDF (bakery) prep area to current standards, this included lighting and power, oven and extraction, hygienic cladding to all walls, new base units and worktops, wash hand basin, utensil sink, non-slip flooring and decoration.

- Internal Warehouse
Install new resin and vinyl flooring, install new partitions and suspended ceilings, installation of new shelving, installation of new coldroom, lighting and power and decoration.

- Internal Canteen
Install new partitions and suspended ceilings, lighting and power, new base/wall units and worktops, sink, non-slip flooring and decoration.

- Various internal offices inc EPOS, Managers and training room
Install new partitions and suspended ceilings, lighting and power, new base/wall units and worktops, sink, non-slip flooring and decoration.

Challenges Experienced:

• The three phases of the project all overlapped and were managed by various people on behalf of the Co-op ensuring that they were all delivered to budget.
• The noisiest and most disruptive work had to be carried out at night so as not to affect trading which went on as normal in the reduced size store.
• We agreed to take on all parts of the contract to reduce the duration of the programme of works - by overlapping the three phases, we saved between 4 -6 weeks for the client.

Conclusion:
The refit was well received by the client and the store transformation exceeded expectations. The project was delivered on time and within the original budget which allowed the Co-op to hand over to their new landlord, Home Bargains, on the agreed, contracted date.

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