Waitrose John Barnes

Client


Paul Earl Limited
(Works carried out at Waitrose, John Barnes, Finchley Road, London)


Project Overview


Nitor Ventilation was appointed by Paul Earl Limited to deliver a comprehensive mechanical ventilation and air conditioning upgrade at the Waitrose John Barnes store in London. The project involved replacing multiple comfort cooling systems, installing new VRV condensers serving an AHU DX coil, and upgrading key extract ventilation systems, all within a live retail environment. The works were carefully planned to minimise disruption to store operations, with a combination of in-hours and out-of-hours working, including specialist craneage carried out on a Sunday.


The Challenge


The existing air conditioning and ventilation systems across several back-of-house and staff areas were ageing, inefficient, and increasingly unreliable. Key challenges included:


  • Multiple AC units requiring replacement across offices, training rooms, dining areas, and cash offices
  • Limited roof access and the need for craneage, including partial road closure
  • Noise restrictions requiring careful scheduling of works
  • Coordination with other contractors for builders’ works, electrical, controls, and AHU modifications
  • Maintaining a safe and operational environment within a busy supermarket location


The Solution


Nitor Ventilation delivered a full turnkey mechanical solution, including:


  • Comfort Cooling AC Replacement
    Replacement of multiple split AC systems serving general offices, manager offices, training rooms, dining areas, and cash office spaces, including new condensate pumps and modified drainage pipework.


  • AHU DX Coil Condenser Installation
    Supply and installation of new VRV condensers to serve AHU01, complete with new roof supports, pipework, pressure testing, and commissioning.


  • Craneage & Logistics
    Specialist crane lifts for new condensers and split systems, including traffic management, partial road closure, and liaison with the local authority.


  • Ventilation Upgrades
    Replacement of the female partner toilet twin extract fan motors with a new auto-changeover panel, plus replacement of the refuse bay extract fan.


All systems were fully pressure tested, commissioned, and handed over on completion


Outcome


The completed works delivered:


  • Reliable, energy-efficient air conditioning across all staff and operational areas
  • Improved indoor air quality and comfort for employees
  • Reduced maintenance risk through replacement of obsolete equipment
  • A future-proofed solution aligned with site operational constraints


The project was delivered with minimal disruption, despite complex access requirements and live trading conditions.


Why Nitor Ventilation


This project highlights Nitor Ventilation’s ability to:

  • Deliver complex mechanical upgrades in live retail environments
  • Coordinate craneage, traffic management, and multi-disciplinary interfaces
  • Provide flexible working solutions, including out-of-hours installations
  • Manage projects from strip-out through to commissioning and handover


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Our clients.

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Our Mission

To deliver safe, efficient, and compliant ventilation solutions through engineering excellence and accountability. We exist to protect people, enhance building performance, and simplify compliance by combining technical skill, legal competence, and unwavering attention to detail.

Our Vision

To be the UK’s most trusted name in ventilation compliance and system performance — recognised for innovation, integrity, and a turnkey service that sets the standard for quality, safety, and sustainability across every sector we serve.

Our Goal

To lead the industry in compliance-led engineering, driving continuous improvement across testing, refurbishment, and installation. We aim to reduce risk, extend system lifecycles, and support our clients on their journey to safer, smarter, and more sustainable environments.