Modular Kitchen and Cafe Facility
After running their successful bike hire business, Pedalabikeaway, in the Forest of Dean, Ian Officer and Gareth Sheppard were looking to expand. When the Forestry Commission announced a tendering process to build and run a cafe at its popular lakeside Mallards Pike site, it was an opportunity too good to turn down.
The pair identified a modular solution as the most cost effective and flexible option for this new venture. They wanted a one-stop-shop for their solution and to streamline the production process.
Contacting PKL to find out their options, Ian and Gareth were delighted at the choices they had for the look and feel of the unit. They loved the idea of a unit that combined the natural look of timber, with a modern, glass front to allow customers to enjoy the stunning lakeside location of the cafe.
Ian and Gareth included these ideas in their tender document, and were delighted to win the tender in late 2017. The pair then worked with PKL’s designers to create more concrete proposals for the vital planning application for the beautiful site.
Thanks to hard work from Pedalabikeaway and the drawings and information provided by PKL, planning was granted in April 2018. The challenge was now to complete installation by the start of the Summer Holidays in July, a turnaround of just three months.
The glass-fronted and timber clad design was installed the week before the school holidays began in mid-July and the cafe opened successfully on the first day of the Summer holidays.
The summer season surpassed all expectations. Visitor numbers were up, and positive feedback on the cafe and its design demonstrated to Ian and Gareth they had made the right decision.
Ian said: “We came to PKL because we wanted a one-stop-shop to get an attractive and cost-effective cafe with a short turnaround. I’ve been delighted at the service from PKL and the look of the cafe is fantastic. We’ve been overwhelmed by the popularity of the site and the feedback we’ve had from customers for the cafe.”
