Leisure and Retail

Ancorite was asked to provide a decorative terrazzo system to an extremely complex elliptical pattern for the high class retail section of the new Westfield Shopping Mall. There were 7 shades of terrazzo to be laid in a designated pattern which required intricate setting out and

careful application.

The initial shade selection and non-standard stone size and matrix was extensive and exacting.

The pumped screed was laid to level before an elastomeric membrane was applied. Ancorite supplied CAD drawings to enable the site engineers to plot the patterns of the different terrazzo shades. The terrazzo was laid within the bands before the areas were ground, grouted, polished and sealed.

Attention to detail and accuracy of setting out was critical as each of the floors was split into four sections and the connection was key to the visual appearance of the floor. The floor continues to provide a decorative hard wearing and maintainable finish.

For more information on this project or to discuss how we can help, please get in touch with the team.

Ancorite Surface Protection is proud to have been involved in the delivery of the prestigious floor finishes package for Diageo’s flagship Johnnie Walker Visitor Experience, located on Princes Street in the heart of Edinburgh.

Working with the client’s Project team, Architects Simpson & Brown and BRC – and main contractor BAM – Ancorite was tasked to realise a stunning conceptual vision that would turn the former landmark department store building into a modern and interactive space, whilst retaining its original elegance.

The flooring package developed by the Design team needed to meet the varied challenges that this old eight-level floor building presented. The team opted for CPG Flowcrete as the preferred manufacturer due to its product range, which offered a varied and comprehensive system from initial subfloor renovation to final high-end aesthetic resin finishes.

The floor systems installed started with the renovation of the sub floor and Flowcrete K screed and Isocrete systems were used to repair and level the floors throughout the whole building.

The floor finishes specified for the prestigious visitor areas and main feature staircase were required to be of a high aesthetic quality, be hard wearing and easily maintained. The system had to be versatile so it could be formed seamlessly to the large floor areas, as well as be suitable to be manufactured accurately to create nearly two hundred precast stair treads, risers and nosings.

The Flowcrete Mondeco Resin Terrazzo system was chosen as it offered all of the above and more.

Utilising different terrazzo colours and solid brass inlays, the system delivered a beautiful floor that accentuated the quality and style of the build throughout.

In addition, Ancorite was also tasked with several specific floor systems to meet other site requirements – from comfort floor resin to the whisky tasting bar room and visitor areas, to anti-static floor to the whisky cellar area and general plant room, and epoxy floor finishes to the back of house.

For more information on this project or to discuss how we can help, please get in touch with the team. and construction

Back in 2019, the iconic Art Deco Globe Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees required a scheme of renovation with construction company Willmott Dixon looking to Ancorite to execute the refurbishment of its existing terrazzo flooring.

Reconstructed in the 1930’s, extensive repairs were necessary to ensure the Grade II Listed building was bought back to exemplary condition. Reparation work was required on the staircase in particular, with additional work needed on the foyer and toilets. The project scope encompassed the reparation of the existing terrazzo flooring, a replacement staircase and a complete clean and polish.

In the first instance, Ancorite undertook a trial repair with a clean and polish of the existing terrazzo to ascertain the extent of work needed to bring the flooring back to its original condition. The existing green and cream terrazzo was matched up, and a rigorous trial and error process was carried out and subsequently completed to the satisfaction of the Conservation Consultant.

Following on from this, the existing stairs have since been repaired and lined with two-coloured Mondeco terrazzo stair treads and risers; the entrance hall terrazzo has been repaired and the complete area has been cleaned, re-ground and polished.

This Grade II listed property was commissioned by the Local Council and Civic Society in 1935 for the use of the Stockton-on-Tees community.

For more information on this project or to discuss how we can help, please get in touch with the team.

Alton Towers, part of the Merlin Entertainment Group, is the largest theme park in the UK priding itself on the safety of its visitors and staffing team alike. With a reputation for excellence, Ancorite was delighted to be approached by Alton Towers to undertake work on its catering facilities within its prestigious resort hotel.

With the need to carry out a comprehensive kitchen refurbishment, Alton Towers Hotel looked to Ancorite to provide a premium flooring solution that would withstand high-traffic for staff and remain safe, hygienic and durable at all times.

Work on the kitchen began with the removal of the existing vinyl flooring and underlay and the subtraction of the original ceramic tiles and adhesive bedding, dating back to the 1990’s. Once the preparation work was complete, Ancorite installed new drainage channels using stainless steel 304-grade fixed gullies for their high flow capacity rates, and subsequently replaced manhole covers with 304 grade stainless lids – both of which were fixed with Emaco fast curing repair mortars.

With safety in mind at all times, Ancorite opted for a Master Builders Ucrete DP20 system for its heavy-duty slip-resistant properties right across the 180m² kitchen area – ideal for potentially wet and greasy processing environments – and installed 115m of coved skirting using Ucrete RG at 150-200mm high to replace the old tiled skirtings. In addition, a network of falls was created with Ucrete FL in the pot wash area to allow for the free passage of water to the drains.

In line with Alton Tower’s commitment to ensuring the environment remained as safe as possible, Ancorite carried out post completion slip tests achieving a wet and dry PTV >55 in all areas.

The whole project was completed within a tight, 2-week time frame from strip-out to handover, allowing the minimum shutdown period and enabling the operations to resume in time for a pre-booked event for over 500 guests.

For more information on this project or to discuss how we can help, please get in touch with the team.

IFT were contracted by K3 CDM Projects Ltd to supply and install the self-levelling screed to the new Co-op building, Newton Mearns.

The substrate required significant preparation in order to reduce high areas of concrete and provide a suitable surface with IFT having the wealth of experience to meet the challenge.

The prepared substrate was primed with Mapei Eco Prim T and the levelling screws were set to allow the correct screed level to be achieved.

We applied Mapei Ultratop Industrial to the rear stock area as this product is a wearing screed for high abrasion-resistance.

The main floor area received Mapei Utraplan Renovation Screed. This is a fibre reinforced self-levelling compound designed for the renovation/refurbishment of existing floor substrates.

IFT took a poor slab, turned it around and provided an SR1 finish for the tiling contractor.

Porous Resin Bound Terrabound chosen for inspiring RHS Garden design in Devon

Addagrip is delighted to have been involved in this design project at RHS Rosemoor in Devon, creating a stunning new garden with rainfall in mind.

An Addagrip approved contractor was invited to install over 320m2 of resin bound pathways for the new Cool Garden designed by multi-award-winning designer Jo Thompson. The design has a strong focus on water, embracing the challenge of the high levels of rainfall experienced in the region. The garden consists of a series of curving rills which make their way through the garden, disappearing and reappearing to flow into the pond at the bottom of the sloping site and provides an example of how effectively a designed landscape can accommodate heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

With water flow in mind, BBA certified Terrabound resin bound porous surfacing was chosen for the curving pathways that follow the rills and form organic shaped planting beds, helping to reduce surface water runoff. A 6mm Hazelnut natural aggregate blend was selected to contrast with the cool coloured planting scheme and complement the dry stone walling, providing seamless, low maintenance, decorative pathways for this stunning new garden.

IFT was appointed by a building and civil engineering company to carry out work on a £40m  shopping centre development.

Set to add 30,000 sq ft to the centre, bringing the overall space to 880,000 sq ft, the revamp will introduce a nine-screen  cinema, nine restaurants as well as new retail and leisure facilities, in order to cement its position as Glasgow’s premier shopping and leisure destination.

The IFT team has been working at the centre for 3 months carrying out numerous patch repairs using Isocrete K Screed on all levels after the demolition and alteration works were complete to make good areas of floor. More recently, some existing screed was found to be defective and out of tolerance for tiling. The building and civil engineering company  removed this screed & IFT infilled it with Mapei Topcem, scabbled down some high areas of existing concrete, and then  applied an average 10-12mm Mapei Ultraplan Renovation screed to achieve an SR1 finish as required by their tiler. Mapei Topcem was chosen in this instance to fast track the drying times allowing a faster application of the Ultraplan Renovation with the tiler following immediately afterwards.

These works had to be done following the building and civil engineering company’s strict COVID guidelines. Our Risk Assessment and Method Statements had to be updated to reflect these changes and our operatives were given a COVID specific tool box talk by IFT and a COVID site specific re-induction by the company prior to commencing works. All of our RAMS were produced using the latest Scottish Government guidance, CLC guidance, site specific guidance and workforce consultation – this ensured our works could be carried out safely but still effectively.

A local seaside gift shop chose bright pink to achieve the aesthetic finish they required. Previously replacing vinyl each year following busy summer periods and heavy foot traffic the client required a hard wearing floor with slip resistant entrance way. He wanted the floor to be a ‘wow’ factor for customers as they walk through the door. To ensure the client had the correct type of floor with a ‘wow’ factor Sika 263SL RAL 4010 was used.  This met the durability, safety and aesthetics the client was after.

Located in Kent, Dover Western Docks Revival is currently one of the largest port development projects to be constructed in the UK.

Alongside Boskalis Westminster, VolkerStevin have been working on the scheme since January 2017, which has included two deep water berths, the design and build of quay walls, a new marina pier, Wellington Dock navigation channel and capital dredging work amongst other items.

Total Protection (GB) Ltd were delighted to be approached by VolkerStevin to be involved with this £250 million development and undertake the surfacing works to the new marina pier.

Addagrip’s BBA Approved 6mm ‘Tuscan Pebble’ Terrabound product was selected and applied to a total surface area of 2,910m2.

Total Protection were also responsible for installing intricate expansion joint detail, reflecting the design to assist with movement of the structure.

The width and differing heights either side of the expansions were overcame with the assistance of Dural who created bespoke edgings to suit.

The marina pier was due to be completed by the beginning of 2019, however due to the winter period temperatures, the surfacing works were temporarily delayed in order to maintain the high quality finish of the Resin Bound Gravel and to eliminate any potential issues that cold weather application can cause.

Once the weather had improved, it took a total of 32 days to install the entirety of the expansion joint detail and Tuscan Pebble Terrabound surface dressing.

The seamless, low maintenance surface complements the pier’s characteristics, providing a natural but striking finish.

• Flowcrete UK supply durable and decorative flooring solutions for historic Spanish City dining and leisure centre
• Advanced screeds and attractive resin terrazzo systems were chosen for ‘The Dome” restaurant
• Spanish City reopens almost eighteen years after closing to the public

The historic Spanish City utilised flooring solutions from Flowcrete UK in its 2018 restoration project that saw its Edwardian features brought back to life.

Starting life in 1906 as a makeshift theatre with temporary stages painted like Spanish streets, the Whitley Park area was a place for William Simcocks’ North East Toreadors group to perform. With rising popularity, the area quickly became known as Spanish City.

‘The Dome”, as it became known, first opened its doors in 1910 and was a hub of activity and interest to the residents of Whitley Bay and visitors alike. Home to many attractions, including a theatre and two wings of shopping units, everyone marvelled at the great Spanish City Dome, the second largest in the country at that time after St. Paul’s Cathedral.

In the 1950s several different leisure activities were hosted at Spanish City until it closed its doors in 2002. Almost eighteen years after its closure, North Tyneside Council has reopened Spanish City and restored it to its former glory, thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and its players.

Graham Sword, Senior Manager, Regeneration, North Tyneside Council, said: “We worked closely with a number of contractors throughout the restoration project to ensure the iconic building was sympathetically restored and remained true to its rich history.

“The choice of flooring to be used inside the Dome was a really important consideration and we are pleased with the end product, which looks great.”

The venue now includes family-friendly venues, a high-quality steak and seafood restaurant, tearooms, event spaces and a Champagne bar, taking residents back to its former luxuriousness.

Kevin Potter, Flowcrete UK’s Managing Director, said: “The careful renovation of the Grade II listed building’s iconic dome, reconditioned into a restaurant, was paramount to the success of the project. Every inch of the space, from the floor to the ceiling, had to be carefully considered to deliver on the required aesthetics and functionality.

“With the devil being in the detail, the expertise of Flowcrete UK was called upon to find the ideal flooring solution for the dome area that would merge Spanish City’s early twentieth century heritage with modern building technology.”

First, over 500 m² of the semi-dry cementitious Isocrete K screed and Isocrete K Screed HDP was installed alongside underfloor heating, in order to provide a heavy-duty base for the resin flooring.

To pay homage to the twentieth century glamour, 200 m² of the decorative seamless terrazzo system Mondéco Earth was chosen in two complementary colours to form concentric circles around the dome. The neutral colours, separated by metal borders, provided a harmonised contrast to the dark timber flooring used in the centre of the dome.

To keep both staff and diners safe even with the risk of dropped foodstuff or beverages, slip resistance was incredibly important within this space. To fulfil this, 200 m² of Flowcrete UK’s Flowseal PU Matte (Ultra) with anti-slip aggregates was utilised to coat the Mondéco system, increasing onsite health and safety at no aesthetic expense.

Above the floor, the ceiling of the central space has been removed from the ground level, allowing visitors to see the fully restored dome in all its glory from the inside, for the first time in over 100 years.

From the floor to the first storey ceiling, full height windows have also been fitted, in keeping with the original Spanish City. These windows look out to sea and provide a fantastic view of St Mary’s Island.

With new life breathed into the historic venue, the iconic Spanish City is once again an integral hub within Whitley Bay.

The Leszek Blanik Gym Hall Innovation and Implementation Centre at the Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport is the most state-of-the-art gymnastics centre in Poland.

Approximately 2,100 m² of specialist resin systems from Flowcrete was installed at this facility to ensure that the floors throughout the site would provide its users with high performance, long lasting surfaces.

The Leszek Blanik Gym Hall Innovation and Implementation Centre is an investment project made at the highest, world-class level of gymnastics. The centre hosts the AZS AWFiS Leszek Blanik Academy – a project to promote and develop gymnastics and acrobatics among children, adolescents and adults. The training team consists of experienced trainers and one of its coordinators is Leszek Blanik, Olympic Champion from Beijing in 2008 and coach of Poland’s male gymnastics team. 

In the main gym hall, a seamless Flowshield LXP resin floor in a light grey colour with a blend of blue additives in carefully selected, delicate shades was applied. Flowshield LXP is a smooth and flexible floor which is made using coloured polyurethane resin. High abrasion resistance of this system makes it perfect for areas with a lot of pedestrian traffic and where the floor will be subjected to impacts, scuffs, scrapes and wear on a daily basis.

The seamless and impervious nature of Flowshield LXP means that it is very easy to keep clean and so helps to maintain a high standard of hygiene. Cleanliness is of particular importance in locations such as this, where intensive physical training takes place. 

Fine, colourful particles were incorporated into the floor to give it a decorative, dappled character, creating a subtle background for the mattresses and other training equipment arranged across it.

Olgierd Bojke, Chancellor of Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, said: “The main gym hall in our facility has a height of 12 metres and on three sides has access to natural sunlight, which ensures optimal conditions for training. Resin floors in a bright shade reflect the light, which visually enlarges and illuminates the space for exercise. The applied flooring solution perfectly fits into the user-friendly aesthetics of our facility, and at the same time is practical, taking into account the long-term durability and easy maintenance.” 

In addition to the main gym hall, resin floors with eye-catching flakes were also utilised in smaller rooms throughout the facility, including an area designed for strength training. The company responsible for the flooring application was the contractor Invest Group Sp. z o.o.

IFT was appointed as the main contractor  to carry out repairs to the Peak’s swimming pool in Stirling Sports Village.

IFT prepped the floors and walls to remove the old screed and render, and then installed Mapei Epo Rip with Mapei topcem for screed to tie in with the pool inlets to allow for tiling. Mapei Planitop 330 was applied for render to tie in with the bull nose of the top tile, and Mapei Lastic was used for all base and walls for waterproofing.

The 25-metre baths are due to open again in March 2019.