work-sThanks to Johnson Construction of Delph, near Oldham, residents of Workington who were cut off by the recent floods can now avoid a detour of up to 40 miles to do their shopping. Because the community in the Seaton and Northside areas of the town faced an agonising journey to the main Tesco store in Workington, the company appointed Johnson Construction to construct a new 13,300 sq ft purpose-built interim supermarket and associated car parks on a brown field site on the north side of the River Derwent.

Johnson Construction, who have substantial experience in fast-track modular construction, managed the delivery and installation of the supermarket modular structure in an unprecedented 24 hours, with the store and car parks being completed and open to the public in 13 days.

Johnson Business Stream director Bob Gregson is rightly proud of his company’s achievement. He said: “Under the direction of our head of construction, Geoff Terry, the teams worked round the clock with every aspect of the project being worked on concurrently. Despite the rain and night time working, his teams ensured that the access roads and car park were built in time for the opening.

“This project demonstrates that modular construction has an important role to play in the industry. We provided a fast track building comprising multiple units, which have a guaranteed level of factory finish and quality. It demonstrates how an organisation can have additional working or trading space with minimal impact on daily business activities and install units with future expansion in mind if it so wishes.”

Johnson Construction and its team of sub-contractors prepared raised foundations to line and level for the modular structure incorporating mass filled concrete delivered by a concrete pump, which worked throughout the night, within 36 hours. The site was floodlit and the modular units were fully positioned on the foundations over a 24 hour period. At the same time drainage connections to outfalls were located and connected with power and services being brought in from the highway.

The whole area was then overlaid with Tarmacadam to falls with trolley bays located at strategic points. Perimeter fencing and external furniture were also installed. A concrete ramp was formed to provide access for deliveries to the side of the unit, with a scissor lift being used to off-load goods from wagons into the loading bay.

The internal fit out was completed by the Johnson Construction team of installers, with the M+E contractors playing a pivotal role in the process.

Historically, large contractors have opted for traditional construction methods because modular solutions erode core business and profitability. Bob Gregson continued: “I think this attitude will change with the need to address environmentally friendly and fast building techniques in the future.”

Tesco retail director David Potts said of the new ‘pop-up’ store: “This is the first time we’ve ever built a store in such a short time. At this time of year our customers are busy enough without a three-hour journey just to get to the supermarket. Many of our own staff have been badly effected by the flooding, so the temporary store will help them too.”

When the bridges in Workington are re-opened the building will simply be dismantled and taken to another location.

Johnson Construction has developed specialist techniques for installing foundations on brown field sites and delivering fast track internal fit out options to provide optimum delivery of all modular building solutions.

Johnson Construction UK Ltd
08451 270330
www.johnsonconstruction.co.uk

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