Client:
Intu Properties Plc
Contractor:
McLaren Construction
Project details:
Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock, Essex opened in 1990 and was one of the UK’s first out-of-town shopping malls. Built within a former quarry, the site has excellent transport links via the nearby M25 and Dartford Crossing over the Thames, and therefore a large catchment. Since its opening nearly 30 years ago further retail sites have been developed in the area together with the residential community of Chafford Hundred. Re-branded as intu Lakeside in 2013, it remains in the top 10 largest shopping centres in the UK, with 240,000m2 of retail floor space comprising 250 shops and 50 cafes / restaurants, set in an 80 hectare site. As part of intu's recent £150 million leisure and entertainment extension, a new public square has been designed to attract more visitors to the centre in the evening. Facilities include a trampoline park, bowling alley, 11 new restaurants and a Nickelodeon centre (the first of its kind in the UK) and lighting and water features in the external spaces.
Furnitubes has supplied the external landscape seating for the scheme, including eight 3m long Fordham steel and timber benches, the scale and bold construction of which perfectly suits the large open spaces. Between these benches individual Hollo modules have been placed to act as single person seating platform and / or low tables surfaces. All products were supplied with steelwork in a galvanised finish and iroko hardwood planed and untreated, to weather naturally over time. Set within resin bound gravel paving the material pallet reflects the industrial character of this former quarry landscape.
Visit the Furnitubes International website for more information on Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock, Essex