Overview
We were involved in a commercial project in Leicester to help to get a new Taco Bell fast-food restaurant ready. The project mainly involved us replacing their extraction unit so that the restaurant would pass compliance tests.
The Project
In October 2020 we won a project that entailed us working with a number of sub-contractors on the site of a new Taco Bell fast-food restaurant that was due to open in November 2020 in Leicester. The job was to remove an old extractor that was located in the ceiling void, and replace it with a new system. Our role was to open up the suspended ceiling to allow for the work to take place…and close it all up again afterwards.
Sounds simple?
Well yes, and no. This job was complicated by a few factors.
The main challenge was that this was a working restaurant, open till 2am. And ours was a messy job. We were working with a suspended ceiling, at height. There was a lot of material that needed removing and taking out of the restaurant area.
Cleanliness was really important. We had to be mindful of health and safety aspects of the job, working within the strict rules of a restaurant.
Another key issue was fumes. Of course, the extraction unit could not be out of commission for long, so we needed to ensure that we were working quickly, and alternative extraction was being used for any down-time between removing the old and installing the new system.
So, since the nights are quieter and the restaurant is closed for a few hours, we started working in the early hours and through the night. We still had to work around hungry night-owls, but at least there weren’t queues and queues of customers.
First, we gained access by removing the suspended ceiling so that the old industrial system was carefully removed, and taken outside.
We manoeuvred the new materials into the ceiling void in preparation for the new ventilation. Then, post installation, we replaced all of the plasterboard so that the ceiling area was back to its best.
Muchas Gracias!
Looking Back
Wow, the fast-food market in Leicester is a busy business! We couldn’t believe how many customers just kept on coming in through the doors, even in the early hours.
So, this was an exhausting job, not least because of the unsociable hours. However, the job was delivered in full and on time, and our client is delighted with the work. Bearing in mind this is an international franchise, we were fully aware of the demanding nature of the customer, so were delighted to be able to sign off on a job well done.
As with many jobs that we undertake, health and safety was absolutely critical here. Working around staff, customers…and food meant an intensive approach to our work, especially since a lot of it was working at height. This sort of project can only be successfully delivered with clear and direct conversations with all stakeholders. It is why one of our pledges is:
“We will communicate clearly throughout the project.”
