Kestrel systems support the growth of a unique business community
Riverside Works is a vibrant business community located on the River Wye near Bakewell, in the heart of the Peak District. Made up of warehouses and retail spaces, the business park has expanded with the addition of a series of new, high-quality industrial units.
Main contractor, Litton Construction was chosen to build the new units with specialist contractor, Abi Aluminium Ltd commissioned to install glazing systems and doors on the front elevations.
Abi Aluminium chose low-rise curtain walling and thermal commercial doors from Kestrel Aluminium Systems to complement the metal profile clad elevations of the modern steel frame units.
Simon Box, Director, Abi Aluminium explains why they chose to work with Kestrel:
“One of the main reasons we work with Kestrel is because their service is so good and their lead times are excellent. Kestrel can deliver a big job like this to our factory - powder coated and ready to fabricate - within 7 working days, whereas other system houses have a lead time of five to six weeks.”
“With Kestrel it always works out well – from start to finish. From the sales reps to the people in the office, the whole way through, it’s a great company.”
Abi Aluminium also chose Kestrel systems for their ease of fabrication. With its factory located some distance from the project site, it was a real advantage that Kestrel’s low rise curtain walling allows individual panels to be assembled in the factory. These could then be easily transported to site where they were clipped together, reducing the amount of time spent on site.
“The Kestrel commercial door system is easy to fabricate too, it’s so good that we wouldn’t use any other commercial door system - and we’ve never had any issues requiring callbacks,” adds Simon.
The finished warehouses vary in size from 1,000 to 15,000 square feet and are now available for businesses looking to join the Riverside community. Over 200 people are already employed on site by a range of independent businesses, including a bakery, an archaeological research company, a technology company, a joinery and a brewery and tap room – the latter attracting 120,000 visitors in the past 12 months.
Following the successful completion of the new units, the expansion of Riverside Works is set to continue, with Abi Aluminium once again engaged to fabricate and install Kestrel aluminium glazing systems for the next phase of the development.
With plans for a 72-bed hotel and new restaurants, Riverside Works continues to evolve as a thriving destination where businesses can grow and people can live, work and play.
