Projects
Retail
Lidl food store, Chard
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Project Description

Our client, Quora (Chard) Ltd. appointed Jessops Construction to construct the 2,206sqm food store on the 9,586sqm development site. This scheme involved the demolition of a number of the former Brecknell Willis factory buildings, made redundant in recent years, and the construction of a new Lidl Food Store.

The initial phase of the build was ensure a full site set up including welfare facilities and to ensure that protected species such as slow worms were relocated to the local nature reserve. There were also a number of trees with Tree Protection Orders, it was therefore imperative that the necessary protection fencing was in place. It was then possible to commence the strip and demolition of the existing buildings. Where possible, crushed materials were repurposed on the scheme.

During demolition, items deemed to have historic value including a prominent church bell retrieved from one of the buildings was donated to the local museum in Chard ensuring the preservation of the town's history.

The bulk excavation of materials and earthworks were commenced post-demolition and approximately 11,809m3 pf materials were removed from site. Sustainable surface water drainage was installed together with an attenuation tank and other services which will facilitate the new food store.

Vibro Replacement Stone Columns, piled to an average depth of 4.08m, were used to improve the ground below the substructure of the building and to support the new store's foundation load. The 76 tonne steel frame structure was encased by composite roof and wall cladding, with a single skin canopy and single ply roof to the loading bay area. Construction of the outer shell included a 1,410m3 poroton block system, deemed to be more efficient than traditional blockwork and ensuring a better thermal resistance (U-Value). DDA compliant shop-front glazing was also installed to the front facade.

The scheme was finished with a 114 car park including 5 electrical car charging spaces, together with soft landscaping in the form of a mix of low to medium height shrubs, providing visual permeability.

The scheme was delivered on programme in June 2019

See the scheme from start to finish on our time lapse video here

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