London & South East

Spicing up the UK with Nando’s

Nandos

With over 300,000 Twitter followers and more than 900,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook, it is fair to say that Nando’s has tickled taste buds across the globe.

Founded in 1987, the Nando’s chain now operates in thirty countries spanning five continents. Boasting a scrumptious menu that is bursting with authentic Afro-Portuguese flavours, the family-friendly chain has since become synonymous with delicious flame-grilled chicken and spicy PERi-PERi sauce.

In 1992, Nando’s expanded to the UK, opening their first restaurant in Ealing, London. The organisation now celebrates over 250 restaurants across the United Kingdom in locations including Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds.

One factor that has remained constant throughout the expansion of the Nando’s chain is leading international design consultancy Harrison Design, who has completed over 200 projects for the organisation over the last 14 years.

Dean Concannon, Harrison Design, said:

“It is always fantastic to work with Nando’s as they are all creative and passionate about everything that they do, which makes our job a pleasure. It came as no surprise that the company was voted Sunday Time’s best big company to work for in 2010 because they are such an innovative, energetic team and they are bursting with ideas that we are more than happy to help implement.

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“The best thing about working with Nando’s is that each project is completely different. Whilst certain features remain the same – for instance the use of terracotta and reclaimed timber – the design is constantly adapting and changing and we are continually adding new elements to keep the Nando’s experience fresh.”

One particularly striking Nando’s restaurant is Stratford addition, which is based in the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. Occupying over 7,500 square feet in a prominent second floor position within the mall boulevard, the restaurant has managed to complement the grandeur of the Stratford development whilst embodying Nando’s unique Afro-Portuguese style.

Up to 200 customers can access the restaurant via an avenue of olive trees and once inside the building they are immediately greeted by a luxuriously patterned black and gold mosaic tiled floor which leads to a sweeping seven-metre server that flaunts an organic rolling oak countertop with a snaking frontage that is clad in polished copper.

The timber floor provides natural warmth and is contrasted by the raw concrete circular booths and red leather and oak tables. Another central feature is the single flowing curved wall, which transforms across its length into varying textures including: reclaimed cedar timber shingles, vibrant South African art panels and handmade ceramic tiles. All of these exciting elements combine to form a pixelated wave that flows through the full length of the space.

Nandos

Perhaps the most striking feature is the textured hazel ceiling coffer, which was formed using 10-metre long panels that were woven in Suffolk by hurdle maker David Downie before being transported to the site by lorry and carefully knitted into place.

Four enormous circular columns punctuate the hazel weave. Two of these were created through the artistic arrangement of recycled bottle tops, whilst the remaining two were created by Spiers Arts Academy and are composed of thousands of tightly coiled paper rolls from unwanted magazine publications.

To soften the effect of the high ceiling, Harrison Design dropped sparkly glass pendant lights and a swarm of tiny ‘firefly’ lights through the central areas at varied lower levels, which has in turn created sparkle and movement.

The development has also incorporated a six-metre long coordinator, along with 30 square metres of cold room storage and a separate room that houses four combi-ovens and wash up area with a full recycling waste management area.

Dean Concannon, Harrison Design, commented:

“Shopping centres are always a challenge because everyone in the building finishes at the same time – for the Stratford job, this was around 7,000 people per day and as a result, we had to work around the clock. Luckily we have an excellent working relationship with the main contractor for the project – French Joinery – and we were able to launch a fully coordinated attack. Jobs like this have to be completed like a military operation or they just won’t happen.”

Another unique Nando’s restaurant is the Clink Street offering. Located on the banks of the Thames, the 200-seat restaurant is built on three levels and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.

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The innovative development has incorporated Nando’s signature materials palette, along with a copper ceiling that vitally diverts water ingress and regulates the temperature, as Dean Concannon explained:

“This was a challenging project as the Cannon Street station was located directly above the restaurant. When it rains, it can take a week or more for the water to percolate down through the soil and we would then have to work out where the water would come out. Heating was another issue due and we had to introduce underfloor heating as some of the ceilings were ten metres high.

“However, we love a challenge and working in such varied locations keeps the work interesting. Furthermore, French Joinery were able to demonstrate their practical approach when faced with such technical difficulties and their work was both efficient and effective.”

One of the most recent additions to the Nando’s chain is the Kensington restaurant, which has been created through the conversion of an Italian restaurant. The two-storey restaurant features a beautiful external courtyard and peach-pip textured walls. In addition, the development has incorporated polished concrete floors and 100 terracotta pots that are spread across the back wall.

In April 2012, the restaurant celebrated a secret gig with acts including Conor Maynard, Clement Marfo, The Frontline, Cleo Sol and Tanya Lacey in front of 200 Nando’s VIP fans.

A Nando’s spokesperson commented:

“It was an incredible way to show off our latest restaurant. Everyone had an amazing night thanks to Conor and all the other performers and of course our Nando’s team who kept us all topped up with PERi-PERi treats.”

One aspect that the Nando’s chain remains dedicated to is ensuring that their restaurants remain sustainable. Along with the use of recycled materials and reclaimed timber for their construction projects, the organisation also incorporated low & zero carbon technology within their Leeds restaurant, which was completed in January 2009.

Dean Conannon designed the building, which was to be Nando’s first Eco development. Architects Aedas then worked with main contractor McGoff & Byrne to incorporate a range of exceptional features including a grass roof, a biodiesel fuel plant and photo voltaic cells. In addition, the innovative restaurant also boasts rainwater harvesting, heat recovery systems and high levels of insulation.

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Head of Development at Nandos, Stephen du Plessis, said:

“McGoff & Byrne were engaged early in the life of this project in order to release construction intellect into the early design stages, eliminating waste from the design review cycle and delivering a safe, more sustainable building. This early contractor involvement definitely encouraged collaborative working and joint decision-making and we are delighted with the end result.”

The £1.2 million project was delivered in just 20 weeks, including a 6-week design team lead-in. The building was granted its HM Government Energy Performance Certificate and has an energy performance rating of 7, achieving an A+ Excellent rating.

With more Nando’s restaurants in the pipeline, the chain is expected to eclipse its rivals in the following years. The organisation now offers a range of exciting products, including sauces and even a Nando’s app for your iPhone, iPad or Android mobile device.

Dean Concannon, Harrison Design, commented:

“Nando’s is one of the fastest-growing chains in the UK and we are very excited to be a part of their success. We enjoy every project that we undertake with the chain and look forward to developing our working relationship with them through future projects.”

Pure CF (part of Cottage Furniture Ltd)

Pure CF manufactures and imports contract furniture for the hospitality and leisure industry. The company has successfully completed works for many high-profile clients including Nando’s, Strada, Gaucho and Cote Restaurants and has recently expanded its customer base to include airports, theatres and hotel chains.

Pure CF Managing Director, Paul Gill, said:

“Pure CF is very proud to work in partnership with key companies within the restaurant sector and we receive a lot of recommendations from existing clients however as our business expands we look forward to working with new clients.

Pure CF has over 100 cabinet makers and upholsterers as well as an in-house logistics team and this enables us to supply and fit bespoke furniture and seating more efficiently.

“Our speciality is working alongside construction teams to install distinctive one-off designs and this includes wall panels and unusual design features. The majority of our work can be prepared off site and delivered for fitting by our in-house team of experienced fitters.”

Paul Gill added:

“Next year we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the company. We plan to take Pure CF forward by offering additional solutions for our growing customer base.”

Parkside Tiles

Established in 1983 Parkside Tiles is a specialist supplier of high-quality wall and floor tiles. The company supplies tiles to both the commercial and private sector and provides customers with an extensive range of tiles from traditional designs right through to the latest contemporary styles.

Parkside Tiles has completed work on many high-profile projects including works for Bentley, the London Eye and Belvoir Castle for the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. The company also has a strong working relationship with Nando’s and has supplied over 25 sites with tiles, with their work on the Stratford site being nominated for an award at the 2012 Tile Association Awards.

Parkside Tiles Managing Director, Richard France, said:

“All of the Nando’s sites are very unique in their design, so we supply them with products that reflect this including many handmade bespoke tiles.

“This is something that we are very proud of at Parkside Tiles and we go that extra mile to source products which make us stand out as a company.”

Caswell Engineering Services Ltd 

For over 40 years Caswell Engineering Services Ltd has been a leading provider of HVAC Services for use in the restaurant, retail and commercial markets and specialise in providing ventilation and air conditioning solutions for customers in the fine dining and restaurant sector.

Previous and on-going high-profile projects include, Café Anglais, Pizza Express, Royal China, McDonalds Restaurants (Olympic Village and Media Centre), Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Selfridges and Arndale Centre, Manchester.

Caswell is a HVAC specialist for Nando’s, designing and installing bespoke kitchen ventilation and air conditioning solutions within restaurants throughout the UK and Eire. Caswell provide their own range of kitchen canopies, kitchen diffusers, fire rated ductwork, fire suppression, odour control and control systems.

Caswell Engineering Services Ltd Chairman,Richard Coxen, said:

“We work as part of the design team to develop a scheme for the individual restaurant’s ventilation requirements and once approved we take our scope of works forward from manufacture and installation to hand over. The Junction 27 project in Leeds was a scheme of great interest and significance as a low energy/carbon building.”

Richard Coxen added:

“At Caswell Engineering Services Ltd we are experts in our field, providing restaurant and kitchen services, ventilation and air conditioning turnkey solutions and we constantly strive to enhance the services we provide.

“Working with Nando’s is very important to us and we’re very proud to continue our long-standing relationship with them.”

NCR Ltd

NCR is the global leader in hospitality technology solutions and supplies its award winning Aloha point of sale software and hardware to the hospitality industry throughout the UK.

Radiant Systems – recently acquired by NCR – has a long standing relationship with the team at Nando’s, both here and internationally. Nando’s have always invested in the latest POS technology and all their restaurants are equipped with Aloha point of sale solutions.

NCR’s ongoing development programme means that the company is continually providing new and innovative products to keep its customers at the forefront of new technology, to ensure a smooth dining experience for everyone involved.

Call Craig Francis today on 07713 307703 to find out more about Aloha point of sale solutions.

British Blinds

For many years, British Blinds have specialised in the manufacture and installation of blinds, shutters, awnings, canopies and curtains.

The Company has completed work for many high-profile Clients including the £48m Cardiff City Football Stadium and the state-of-the-art £8m Blackburn Market Mall. In addition to this, British Blinds is heavily involved in ongoing projects for universities, hotels, restaurants, shops and contracts within the leisure industry.

British Blinds Partner, Paul Lister, said:

“We have a strong and sympathetic working relationship with the Nando’s restaurant chain who is a great client to work for. Their briefs are always very precise and it is a joy to be associated with and to support Nandos.”

Paul Lister added:

“At British Blinds we take pride in every project undertaken, however diverse. Our clients’ needs are always of paramount importance and customer satisfaction is what motivates, drives and strengthens our company.”


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