Wondertree at Gatwick

Client

Wondertree at Gatwick

Project Outline:

Synecore’s expertise in airside developments has proven instrumental in the national roll out programme for The Restaurant Group’s (TRG) chain of airport restaurants. Most recently the M&E contractor completed the electrical fit-out for TRG’s Wondertree at Gatwick airport.

Known for its colourful and contemporary interior, the electrical fit-out needed to accommodate The Wondertree’s iconic illuminated trees, café counter, restaurant, serving station and back of house areas. Working alongside shop fitters, Allan Nuttalls, the project took 12 weeks to complete onsite, six electricians, who underwent health and safety inductions to meet the airports requirement, and two months of planning.

Airside developments are unlike any other commercial fit out. Strict security checks and health and safety procedures mean the planning process can take just as long as the onsite work. For the Wondertree development Synecore’s own staff and trusted sub contractors, underwent criminal record and employment checks for the last five years. While materials, tools and access equipment were thoroughly inspected 48 hours ahead of work beginning onsite.

To adhere to fire regulations airside developments require a very high standard of installation. All cabling and equipment must be low smoke, zero halogen and fully contained. For optimum safety Synecore only uses metal conduit for all cable casing – its non toxic and completely fire resistant.

Adrian Eade, Projects Director at Synecore explains, “Having the right workforce is essential to any airside development. Using metal conduit is time consuming and requires skill. For that reason we use a team of four to six tradesmen – that’s more than double the workforce required for a standard high street installation.”

Synecore has been part of TRG’s national roll out programs for its major food chains, which include Frankie and Benny’s, Giraffe, Wondertree, Coast to Coast, Halo Fizz Bar and Comptoir Libanais. The M&E firm’s ability to deliver airside developments with minimal disruption and within tight timescales is hugely favoured by the restaurant giant, enabling them to begin trading within as little as 11 weeks.