Coletta & Tyson Garden Centre Roadside Frontage Upgrade – Hull

Our client invited us back to enhance the appearance of their roadside frontage, which consisted of exposed glasshouse sidewalls and gables. While functional, the existing façade had become visually cluttered and uninviting, with ageing guttering, failed drainage, and multiple service penetrations. The brief was to create a cleaner, more attractive frontage with a stronger visual impact for customers approaching from the road.

The primary glasshouse gables measured 19.2 m wide, 30 m long, with a ridge height of 3.5 m. Existing glass, gutters, and downpipes were removed due to failure and age. The glass gables were replaced in full with 60 mm insulated composite panels, installed from ridge to ground level. Matching ridge flashings were fitted internally and externally to provide a crisp, uniform finish. New guttering and downpipe systems were installed and connected to effectively manage roof water.

The gables were arranged in a staggered layout around a fenced gas supply area. During the works, several services that previously penetrated the glass sidewalls were removed and rerouted internally. This significantly reduced external penetrations and resulted in a much cleaner external appearance.

To continue the improved frontage, the works were extended to connect with a taller glasshouse structure running in the opposite direction. This structure stood 4.3 m high, with an 80 m long sidewall and a gutter height of 4 m. The sidewall glazing was removed in controlled sections, allowing the client to upgrade existing air-conditioning units and associated pipework. External services and electrical cabling were again rerouted internally to ensure a neat and uncluttered finish once the panels were installed.

The sidewall was re-clad with 60 mm insulated composite panels, installed from beneath the gutter down to a retaining wall positioned 300 mm above floor level. Drip plates were fitted at the base to direct vertical runoff away from the structure. All panels were blind-fixed to the top, middle, and bottom purlins, ensuring no visible fixings from the roadside.

Main rainwater downpipes were renewed, and condensation pipework was rationalised and rerouted to further minimise visible external services. All top, bottom, and gable returns were finished with colour-matched flashings. One additional gable visible from the roadside was also replaced using matching panels and detailing to maintain visual continuity.

Throughout the project, we worked closely with the client to maintain site security and weatherproofing, closing all areas each evening to ensure uninterrupted garden centre operations.

The completed works delivered a significant transformation, replacing the dated glass façade with a clean, modern frontage that is visually cohesive, less cluttered, and far more appealing to passing customers.