CASTORE ASHFORD DESIGNER OUTLET

Our recent completion of the white boxing and subsequent fit out of a new store for Castore at the Ashford Designer Outlet was completed on time and ahead of November’s Black Friday deadline.

This unit had never been let since its construction way back in 2019 and there was a broad scope of works to undertake, we had previously installed a distribution board to allow incoming power into the unit which sits on the periphery of the food court within Ashford Designer Outlet.

The location of the unit was always going to place several constraints about the way in which we carried out these works given that there was no rear access to any service yard/storage area. All materials had to be moved through the main front entrance and were conducted outside of the outlets opening hours.

As we have completed works to many of the retail units at Ashford Designer Outlet, we were able to utilise a newly refuirbished unit nearby as a storage facility for materials out of the elements, this unit was one we had completed earlier in 2024

Originally, we had been tasked by the outlet centre to complete a “white boxing” of this unit ready for the new tenant’s possession, however, during the course of the project Castore contacted us direct to complete the full fit out to its specification in readiness for their grand opening on Black Friday. Our team worked closely with both the centre management team and Castore to organise all the relevant trades to allow completion of the unit ready for trading.

This was a comprehensive programme of works:

• Paint Structural Steel with intumescent paint
• Paint soffit in BOH area white
• Full HVAC System, including roof penetrations
• Full Electrical installation, including custom floor boxes
• Fire Alarm
• Create 60 minute Back Of House area, including:
•     DDA Compliant WC
•     Kitchenette
•     Firestopping of all penetrating services
• Install 60 minute fire door
• Create two changing rooms (1xstandard + 1xDDA compliant
• Install a plasterboard dropped ceiling
• Box in exposed wet riser
• Install flooring and welcome mat
• Paint all walls and ceiling white for incoming tenant
• Produce all relevant certifications:
•     Fire Door
•     Alarm
•     HVAC Commissioning
•     Electrical Certificates
•     Building Control
•     EPC

Our team here at AW Construction worked extended hours to make sure we met both clients expectations, bringing together our own trades people, incumbent contractors and specialist contractors to bring in the project ahead of schedule.

In summary:

• Completed Full White Box in 4 weeks instead of standard 6
• Took on Design Responsibility
• Produced As Built Drawings
• Undertook full shop fit at late notice with a 1 week completion window
• Worked under restricted access conditions
• Liaised and co-ordinated between Land Lord Client, Tenant Client, relevant sub-contractors

The incoming tenant set the deadline of 28^th November 2024 (Black Friday) to have all works, including brand fit out and merchandising, completed ready for this major retail date within the UK. We are certainly proud to have played a part in bringing another retailer to Ashford Designer Outlet and have already started working on another unit within the retail park.