Whether wanting American chicken and burgers to the delicacy of Asian cuisine, visitors to Liverpool’s newest and biggest food hall – GPO at Liverpool’s Metquarter – will be assured of a great atmosphere, thanks to the local air movement specialist with an international reputation, Gilberts.
Double deflection grilles from the Blackpool-based ventilation manufacturer have been fixed into the distinctive oval ducting running the length of the main food hall in the Metquarter. The grilles ensure a consistent flow of fresh air without draughts nor transfer of aromas from one zone to another from the 12 independent kitchens in the converted former General Post Office.
The strategy has been designed and installed by JD Engineering M&E contractor to the brief from development management company Queensberry and restauranteurs The Milestone Group.
The open plan 11,000 sq ft food hall with exposed building services limited available space into which to install the ventilation to ensure compliance with the diverse mix of needs.To balance ventilation, extraction and odour control requirements within the space constraints, JD Engineering proposed flat oval ducting to run the length of the retail area, with Gilberts GHV double deflection grilles strategically positioned along the sides. Adjustable blade dampers, fixed horizontally to the front and vertically to the rear of the grilles circulate the conditioned air. The design delivers 70% free ventilation area, deflecting incoming air vertically and horizontally to optimise rapid mixing and entrainment without draughts. The separate dishwash area is addressed via Gilberts GECA removeable core eggcrate grille. The WCs are served by Gilberts’ GX extract valves specifically designed for removing stale air from washrooms.
Explained a spokesperson for JD Engineering,
“Having 12 kitchens on one area, all providing very different styles of cuisine, was a challenge for the ventilation, to ensure the dining experience was pleasurable and not diluted by an influx of potentially conflicting aromas from other areas. The constraint in ceiling height added a further dimension to address. Gilberts’ grilles matched the requirements in terms of the requisite throw and air distribution we needed, and provided the quality and appearance requirements.”
Matt Bigland, Founder and Director at The Milestone Group, added,
“GPO will be a hub for Liverpool’s emerging food scene and will showcase the best in up-and-coming food and drink talent in the heart of Liverpool. It was critical therefore that we got the internal atmosphere right, and the ventilation has been a crucial component in creating a vibrant environment for diners.”
Founded 55 years ago, Gilberts is Britain’s leading independent air movement specialist, and is unique in its ability to develop components. Be it ‘mainstream’ or bespoke – entirely in-house, from initial design through tooling, production, testing and supply, at its 85,000 ft² manufacturing facility. Its state of the art test centre, designed and built in-house, is one of the most technically advanced in the country.