Landau College

A major restaurant refurbishment at Landau Forte College. The College, which is close to Derby City Centre, opened in 1992 as the 14th City Technology College in England. With over a 1000 students on site it became obvious that the main dining area, after 19 years of hard service, had outgrown its usefulness and there were major problems with queues that needed resolving. Bunzl Lockhart Design Consultancy was called on to undertake the refurbishment, the largest part of which had to be new countering. The design of that countering was very much the result of a meeting of minds with input from Victor, Lockhart Design and the College. A decision was reached for Victor to construct a new servery featuring two ‘mirrored’ counters and a specially designed fixed central drinks unit. According to Robin Winstanley, Design Sales Consultant at Lockhart Design, ”we chose Victor as the manufacturer because they are very strong in making counters and serveries for the education sector and also because of the excellent support and back-up they provide. Sue Morgan, catering manager at Landau Forte College says: “I visited Victor’s premises to look at their counters set up there and also helped to choose the colour of the units.” Morgan, who has been on site since day one of the College’s existence, says: “Our service starts with breakfast from 9.30 until 10.45am then lunch from 12am until 1.45pm. We serve between 600-700 breakfasts and lunches in our 180-seat restaurant. The counters have 20mm thick Nero Absolute granite tops, complete with inset stainless steel tray runners and stainless steel lighting pelmet with white LED lighting under. Frontage and all exposed end panels are finished in walnut real wood veneer panelling and rebated satin stainless steel shadow with satin stainless steel kick plinths. The main hot counter boasts twin stack heated plate lowerators, Synergy wet well bains maries with natural convection hot cupboards under. The mirrored refrigerated counters, one either side of the room, are each supplied with two Synergy wall style refrigerated multi-tiers and a refrigerated counter including a low level tray trolley. Landau Forte College Principal Liz Coffey concludes: “We are all really pleased with our new look restaurant which combines functionality with a contemporary look. The students have renamed the restaurant Food For Thought ; staff and students alike enjoy using the space every day. Thanks to the staff at Victor and Lockharts who were supportive of our students and their involvement in the design process.”