Land Rover Dealership

Client: Vertu Motors
Main Contractor: Davlyn Construction

Brief Summary:

CHJ Mechanical Ltd successfully completed the full design and build of new mechanical services for the refurbishment of a Land Rover dealership in Burnley, Lancashire. The £230,000 project was delivered during the Covid-19 lockdown period, requiring careful planning, enhanced safety procedures, and close collaboration with other trades to ensure safe, efficient delivery. The new installation provides energy-efficient comfort, reliability, and sustainability across all showroom, office, and workshop areas.

Overview

At CHJ Mechanical Ltd, we were proud to undertake the complete mechanical services refurbishment for the Land Rover dealership in Burnley, Lancashire. This project formed part of a wider redevelopment of the site to create a modern, high-performance retail environment that reflects the premium standards of the Land Rover brand.

The scope of works covered the full design, supply, and installation of air source heat recovery VRV air conditioning, heat recovery ventilation, gas-fired heating, hot water generation, and domestic water systems. It also included new controls integration, cold water boosting, and all associated pipework and containment.

The £230,000 contract commenced in May 2020 and was completed in December 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout the project, we implemented comprehensive health and safety measures, including social distancing, PPE, and task-specific risk assessments to protect all personnel on site.

This project demonstrates CHJ Mechanical Ltd’s ability to deliver complex building services to exceptional standards of quality and reliability — even under challenging circumstances — while maintaining our core values of sustainability, efficiency, collaboration, and attention to detail.

Challenges

Refurbishing a live dealership during the pandemic brought together several unique challenges — from maintaining programme delivery during lockdown to working within a dynamic, multi-trade environment where precision and presentation were paramount.

1. Covid-19 restrictions and safe working:
The project took place entirely during the national lockdown period, requiring stringent Covid-safe working practices. Our teams followed enhanced site protocols including social distancing, staggered work schedules, sanitisation procedures, and mandatory face coverings. Despite these restrictions, productivity and coordination were maintained throughout.

2. Integrating modern systems into an existing structure:
The refurbishment required extensive coordination between mechanical, electrical, and architectural trades to integrate new plant and services within the existing building fabric. Ceiling and service voids were limited, and all installations had to meet high visual standards appropriate for a luxury automotive retail environment.

3. Maintaining aesthetics and performance:
The new showroom design called for a sleek, minimalist finish with no visible services. This meant careful planning of ductwork and air conditioning distribution to ensure optimal airflow while preserving the clean architectural lines of the retail and office spaces.

4. Phased working alongside other contractors:
As part of a wider refurbishment, mechanical works had to align precisely with the build and fit-out programme. Collaboration and flexibility were key to maintaining progress and ensuring that each phase of work — from strip-out to final commissioning — fitted seamlessly into the overall project timeline.

Our Solution

CHJ Mechanical Ltd provided a full design and build service, delivering efficient, sustainable, and high-quality mechanical systems tailored to the dealership’s operational needs and brand image.

1. Initial decommissioning and enabling works:
We began with the safe decommissioning and removal of all existing redundant mechanical services, clearing the way for the new systems to be installed. This included careful isolation and removal of old heating, ventilation, and air conditioning plant, as well as redundant domestic services.

2. New incoming gas service:
To meet the design for the upgraded heating and hot water systems, we installed a new underground incoming gas supply and meter, ensuring adequate capacity and compliance with all current regulations.

3. Air conditioning installation:
A new Daikin VRV heat recovery system was designed and installed to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling to the main showroom, sales, and office areas. The system enables simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones, optimising comfort and efficiency.

Externally mounted condensing units were connected to indoor fan coil units via neatly routed interconnecting services on cable tray containment. Internally, all fan coil units were fully ducted to ceiling diffusers and grilles, delivering a clean, contemporary aesthetic that complements the dealership’s modern design.

4. Heat recovery ventilation systems:
We installed Daikin VAM heat recovery ventilation units to provide fresh air to the retail and office spaces. These systems recover energy from exhaust air to pre-condition incoming fresh air, significantly improving efficiency. All ductwork was thermally insulated, with routes carefully coordinated to fit within limited ceiling voids.

5. Toilet and kitchen ventilation:
Dedicated extract systems were installed to serve all toilet and kitchen areas, designed in accordance with Building Regulations to ensure a comfortable, odour-free environment.

6. Gas-fired heating and hot water plant:
For back-of-house and ancillary areas, a new gas-fired boiler plant was installed to provide low-pressure hot water (LPHW) heating. The same system serves a new hot water calorifier, ensuring a reliable and efficient supply of domestic hot water.

7. Workshop and valet area heating:
We installed electric radiant heaters to the workshop and valet areas. These provide quick, direct heat without the need for extensive ductwork or air movement — ideal for spaces with large doors or high ceilings.

8. Domestic services and water boosting:
New domestic hot and cold water services were installed throughout, including a pumped hot water return to ensure instant hot water availability. A cold-water booster set was also installed to maintain consistent water pressure across all outlets.

9. Controls and automation:
All new systems were integrated into a centralised Daikin control platform, providing easy management of temperature zones, ventilation, and operational schedules. The system ensures efficient operation, energy savings, and simplified maintenance.

10. Collaborative working and quality control:
We maintained close coordination with the main contractor, electrical teams, and interior designers throughout the project. Regular progress meetings, shared access to design drawings, and proactive problem-solving ensured the mechanical works complemented the overall fit-out and met Land Rover’s brand standards.

Results

The completed installation has transformed the dealership into a modern, efficient, and comfortable environment for both customers and staff.

• Energy efficiency: The VRV and heat recovery systems significantly reduce energy consumption, aligning with Land Rover’s sustainability goals and improving the building’s environmental performance.
• Improved comfort and control: The new systems provide consistent, easily controllable heating and cooling across all zones, ensuring optimal conditions in the showroom, offices, and workshops.
• Aesthetic integration: Fully ducted installations and concealed services maintain the clean, high-end finish expected in a premium automotive showroom.
• Reliability and performance: The use of high-quality Daikin plant and robust control systems ensures long-term reliability with minimal maintenance requirements.
• Safe and efficient delivery: Despite Covid-related restrictions, the project was delivered safely, on time, and to specification — a testament to our team’s adaptability and professionalism.

This project reflects CHJ Mechanical Ltd’s ability to deliver complex mechanical engineering solutions that combine energy performance, reliability, and design quality — even in the most challenging circumstances.

Client Feedback

“CHJ Mechanical’s transparent and collaborative approach ensured a seamless transition from inception to completion on this project. A pleasure to deal with such a professional and pro-active company ensuing that tight budget restraints are met and programme dates achieved”
Contract Manager