Newcastle Borough Council

2025

In April 2025, M2 Construction completed a shopfront renewal project for Newcastle Borough Council as part of a broader initiative to enhance the appearance and energy efficiency of local high street premises.

The property in question is a popular café and featured an original shopfront that was over 70 years old. It was suffering from extensive decay and no longer performing to modern energy efficiency standards. The client required a new, hard-wearing, low-maintenance shopfront that would complement the area’s evolving look while remaining in keeping with the café’s style.

The solution to this was a sleek, black aluminium shopfront, complete with large-format glazing, installed safely and professionally within a busy pedestrian environment.

The Brief

The original timber shopfront had deteriorated over the years, leading to a range of issues including draughts, poor insulation, and general wear and tear. Newcastle Borough Council approached M2 Construction to carry out the removal and full replacement of the existing frontage.

Key requirements included:

• A modern, energy-efficient black aluminium shopfront
• Minimal disruption to surrounding businesses and public footfall
• Completion within a tight, four-day window to limit café closure
• Ensuring public safety on a busy street throughout the works

Our Approach

Site Safety & Planning

Given the café’s location on a busy high street, public safety was our top priority. We implemented a carefully planned pedestrian management strategy, which included partial closure of the pavement and clear signage to safely divert foot traffic during installation.

A full-time site manager was on site from start to finish to oversee the works, coordinate access, manage logistics, and maintain strict health and safety standards at all times.

Efficient Turnaround

To minimise disruption, the café was closed for just four working days. In that time, our team removed the old shopfront, carried out all preparation works, installed the new aluminium system, and completed final decorative finishes both inside and out.

The tight programme required precise coordination and a highly skilled team on the ground to ensure smooth delivery.

Technical Execution

Specialist Glazing Installation

One of the more complex elements of this project was the installation of the large single-pane glazing, which formed part of the new aluminium shopfront. Due to its size and weight, we used a specialist electronic glass vacuum lifter to carefully manoeuvre the unit into position.

This ensured the glass was lifted and installed safely and accurately, without risk to operatives or passers-by.

High-Quality Finish

The sleek black aluminium shopfront was chosen for its durability, low maintenance, and modern appearance. The system was fitted with precision, ensuring clean lines and optimal thermal performance.

Following installation, both the interior and exterior areas around the window wall were decorated to complete the works, leaving the café looking fresh, modern, and ready to reopen.

Challenges and Solutions

• Busy Street Location:
  Careful scheduling, temporary barriers, and visible pedestrian diversions were put in place to keep the public safe.
• Tight Timescale:
  The café could only close for four working days, so every hour counted. Our team worked efficiently and cleanly, coordinating closely with the café owner and local authority to keep everything on track.
• Large Glazing Units:
  Specialist lifting equipment was brought in to manage the glass safely. Operatives were fully trained and followed best-practice handling procedures.

Outcome & Client Feedback

The project was handed over on time and met all quality, safety, and aesthetic expectations. The new shopfront not only improves the energy performance of the property but also provides a modern and inviting street presence that benefits both the café and the wider area.

Our collaborative approach with Newcastle Borough Council and the café ensured a smooth delivery despite logistical constraints and the live, public-facing nature of the site.

This project is a great example of how M2 Construction can deliver high-quality, efficient construction solutions in sensitive, high-footfall environments.

Get in touch with us HERE to discuss a project with one of the team!