Designed to supply canteens and restaurants across Europe’s largest construction site, the Central Production Kitchen will be required to produce up-to 10,000 meals per day
The high specification, 10,000sqft food production facility at Junction 24 in Bridgwater is a bespoke, high capacity food processing facility. It was built to be operated by Somerset Larder, a consortium of local food producers, responsible for the delivery of catering services provided through multiple canteens across the vast construction site and additional offsite buildings.
Preparation and delivery
Working with architects Smith Gamblin, TCi finalised building design and construction programme in line with the client’s project delivery timescale, in order to meet the growing demand for catering provisions.
With the site secured and safety procedures in place, ground works commenced, preparing footings for the steelwork, utilities and drainage. By week 5 the first steels arrived onsite and the structure took shape over the following 6 weeks.
The plant room mezzanine was constructed and all concrete floors laid by week 17, allowing the installation of plant to begin, including HVAC and M&E provisions alongside a 26,000l water storage tank and emergency escape routes.
Progress
Works were closely monitored by the client and stakeholders, ensuring the building specification is adhered to strictly and all safety procedures are upheld. Exceptional quality, safety and security standards apply across all elements of the Nuclear New Build project. Provisions for equipment selection, delivery and installation were phased to coincide with critical paths in the programme.
Completion
Due to the large amount of equipment installed, including cold rooms and walk-in freezers, ovens and food preparation appliances, commissioning was phased, enabling items to be readied for swift occupation on completion of the programme.
Handover took place in April 2018 in time for the kitchen to become operational, with all equipment installed and ready to use on occupation. A comprehensive O&M manual has been completed and handed to the customer in physical and electronic formats.
