Porsche, East London

25 June 2015

Jardine Motor Group is one of the country’s largest automotive retailers, providing 23 different vehicle brands across more than 70 locations nationwide. Having moved from their East London site in Stratford to Gallions Park, a few short minutes from London Airport, they required a showroom that would provide a safe location to display products.

Porsche is synonymous with exclusiveness and high performance. It is an innovative, market leading company, and its showroom had to reflect this in both function and appearance.

The new showroom opened in April 2015 and has space for 17 cars, with a forecourt holding 35 more, and a 10 bay workshop. An extensive site, coupled with high value stock made securing the site from unwanted access paramount. However it was crucial that a customer’s view of the vehicles would not be disturbed by such security measures.

As a leading supplier to the automotive industry, and having previously fitted barrier systems at Porsche Solihull, AUTOPA was perfectly placed to fulfil the client’s requirements with a number of “off the shelf” products.

AUTOPA supplied Porsche with 54 AUTOPA Mitre Top stainless steel bollards. A modern and elegant design, the Mitre Top Bollard perfectly fits the job specification for this project. Striking in their own right, the bollards slim-line structure does not obscure a customer’s view of the vehicles on show. To secure the site 41 AUTOPA perimeter barriers were installed. At 500mm high these barriers only reach to the bumper height of the cars displayed, so whilst they restrict vehicle movement on and off the site, they do not impact upon the view of the cars.

Protecting against theft was the number one concern for the site managers. However, at certain times the Jardine Group needed to be able to access the site and allow vehicles to move freely on and off the forecourt. RetractaPost-GL’s were installed in the entrances for this purpose. When locked in place these telescopic posts form an effective barrier against unwanted access. When lowered, the post vanishes into its socket below ground, opening up the entrance. A perfect solution.

As well as these products a more heavy duty bollard was required at the delivery entrance, to direct delivery vehicles manoeuvring in the area. Four fixed mild steel bollards, 1500mm in length and coated yellow to maximise visibility were provided. Larger and sturdier than traditional bollards, these marked the delivery entrance.

Finally the site managers indicated that a safe and secure cycle storage area would be desirable. This would present staff somewhere to secure their bicycles, and encourage them to cycle to work. Following a review of the VELOPA range it was determined that the Cambourne Cycle Shelter fitted their needs exactly. This paired with six Sheffield Cycle Stands; a classic and practical cycle stand, provided the site with secure parking for up to twelve bicycles. The Sheffield Cycle Stand is popular with cyclists as the design allows users to lock both the bicycle frame and wheel to the stand simultaneously.

Ultimately a wide range of AUTOPA products were used, providing a secure, yet striking, showroom for the new Porsche site.

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