A conversion of a disused former Lloyds bank in University Square into Wokfresh, a Chinese fast food outlet.
Building on a successful relationship with the University of Birmingham, Seddon was appointed to undertake the refurbishment and fit-out of a vacant, former Lloyds bank within the campus area. Works included the complete strip out of the ground floor of the former bank, back to the shell to form a catering kitchen with service bar and restaurant. Seddon led the design process, working with our appointed designers and the University’s kitchen contractor to ensure that all the design requirements and aspirations were met prior to starting on site.
The basement under the restaurant was converted into staff toilets and the changing room and former bank vault became the main goods store. The existing bank shop fronts and cash machine was removed and the new glazed aluminum shop front and doors were installed.
The former toilets at the end of a rear service corridor were demolished and formed into an insulated cold store. An external eating area was formed with new glazed balustrading.
The mechanical and electrical installation involved the drainage passing into the basement of an operational Costa Coffee and as such required the coordination and regular communication with the shop staff.
The handover date was critical to ensure the shop could open in time for the new term, and return of the students. This was an accelerated scheme for Seddon with a short lead-in period. The team ensured our subcontractors were fully committed to achieving the dates, considering the peak summer holiday periods.
The University issued numerous changes throughout the project, most significantly the addition of air conditioning. This lead to a re-design and numerous alterations to the feature ceiling and finding space in the already packed ceiling void.
