Client: Tesco
Project: Chill Chain
Locations: Across London

Now parts of London and not just its central entertainment district have become a 24-hour city. There is now a flourishing evening to dawn economy and a growing amount of commercial construction and building activity from dusk to 0700 am. And that’s the case with ISD’s installation of 2m by 3m chill rooms at Tesco’s Express stores, across London. In this Chill Chain programme, the infamous ‘nocturnal shift’ begins at 22.00 to avoid causing disruption to store operations.

With tight noise restrictions in place nightly from 7pm, careful work practices are essential. Then, there are important security issues that also limit work being carried out beyond normal office hours. The stores, all re-branded Tesco Express, were part of the Europa, Cullens and Harts chains, acquired by the supermarket chain in 2004.

They are amongst the many Express outlets operated across the country that are attracting more than four million customers every week. Turnover in these London stores has more than doubled since their conversion, according to reports.

In the contract for Linde, scheduling has been vital with each chill room installed within 36-hour windows. ISD has designed each bespoke package and its installation programme to maximise the available chiller space. As a result, these Tesco Express stores now hold larger stocks to meet increased demand, with additional space to store ‘seasonal produce’.

At the majority of stores, additional temporary storage at +4 degrees C has been created by fitting insulated fibre filled, floor to ceiling, wrap-round curtains to the sides of the chillers. The programme began at Ealing and completed at the Maida Vale store.

21st century London is definitely a 24-hour city; every day of the week, every week of the year. Through this project, ISD has contributed to meeting the demands for round-the-clock service to Tesco customers.

Tesco Express Chain

Tesco Express Gloucester Road, London