Established over thirty years ago, Al Murad is now the largest independent importer and distributer of natural stone and ceramic tiles in Britain. They also import huge amounts of other top-quality materials – including glass, slate, marble and granite. With over 40 stores, Al Murad has a reputation for experience, expertise and high-quality products.
Due to their extensive product range, Al Murad is keen to maximize retail space within their retail units and show rooms. From 2012 onwards, WSL has been involved with expanding the Al Murad retail units with top specification mezzanine floors. 17 units have been renovated to date, with others planned for 2018.
The completed mezzanines are in the following stores: Huddersfield, Chingford, Slough, Barnsley, Warrington, Cannock, Hanworth, Kilmarnock, Morley, Hayes, Poole, Salford, Bracknell, Watford, Croydon, Ilford and Rotherham.
These 17 mezzanines have added more than 5000m2 to the showroom space that Al Murad have on offer. Seven mezzanines were built in current stores, with ten built in new stores prior to opening. The mezzanines are a perfect showcase for the company’s products, which cover the walls, floors and ceilings of each mezzanine.
The instruction to WSL was to build the mezzanine structure in each store, including access stairs, stainless and glass balustrades and column cases, with Al Murad carrying out the tiling work upon completion.
The Challenges
The stores that were not yet trading all had strict deadlines in order for the mezzanines to be completed prior to store openings.
The stores that were already trading were to continue uninterrupted with store opening hours operating as normal. This meant that very little work could be carried out during the day and that the area under and around the mezzanine had to remain completely safe for public access.
WSL Solutions
WSL were the first mezzanine manufacturer in the UK to meet the harmonised European standard BS EN 1090 (the CE mark), whilst achieving full membership of SEMA. As experts in all areas of building regulations, the team ensured that every part of the installation was in line with current regulations and design codes.
For the floors that were installed in trading stores, the team worked through the night to ensure that no disruptive work was ongoing during the day. It typically took five nights to install the mezzanine floor, which included primary and secondary beams and decking. In the morning all work was tidied, carefully ensuring that no tools were left in any parts of the building that would be accessible to the public. Once the floor was in place, work on the balustrades could be continued throughout the normal working day, without disrupting the usual store routine.
Safety notices were in place at all times, with stringent safety procedures being overseen by the WSL site manager in conjunction with the in-house Al Murad store manager.
All deadlines were kept, meaning that new stores could be opened as scheduled.
Client Feedback
The result is 17 top quality mezzanine floors, offering a massive addition to showroom space for this leading tile retailer. All projects have been finished on time and in line with building regulations and with safety guidelines for personnel and the general public strictly adhered to at all times.
“Our retail mezzanine floors have doubled our space in very short time. WSL provide a fast turnaround. They are very friendly and wonderful people to work with and are always there from start to finish” Al Murad Management
