Prime Commercial Fit Out

A commercial fit-out is the design and construction of a trading interior — restaurant, bar, boutique office, salon or retail unit — from shell or from an existing tenancy to opening. It suits operators, landlords and brands working to a fixed opening date and a licensing, compliance and landlord approval process that has to be met.

Back of house decides front of house

In hospitality the kitchen, extraction, drainage, gas, water and staff routes set the constraints for everything the guest sees. We resolve back of house first, then design the room around it, which avoids the late redesign that costs both money and opening dates.

Approvals and compliance

• Landlord licence to alter and dilapidations position established before design is fixed
• Building regulations, fire strategy and means of escape designed in, not retro-fitted
• Extraction, odour control and acoustic requirements agreed with the local authority early
• Premises licence and environmental health requirements tracked against the programme

Programme against an opening date

Fit-outs are programmed backwards from the opening date. Long-lead items — joinery, stone, bespoke lighting, specialist glazing and kitchen equipment — are procured before demolition begins, and commissioning, staff training and soft opening are held in the programme rather than absorbed into the final week.

Finish that survives trading

Materials are chosen for wear as well as appearance: how a stone top behaves under service, how banquette upholstery cleans, how a floor performs when it is wet at eleven at night. A commercial interior is judged twelve months after opening, not on the opening night.

Frequently asked questions

What does a commercial fit-out include?

A fit-out covers design, approvals, construction, joinery, services, finishes, commissioning and handover of a trading interior such as a restaurant, office, salon or retail unit.

How long does a restaurant fit-out take?

Design and approvals commonly take two to four months, with construction and commissioning typically a further three to five months depending on the condition of the unit.

Can you work to a fixed opening date?

Yes — the programme is set backwards from the opening date, with long-lead items procured before demolition and commissioning built into the schedule.