As one of the region’s leading air conditioning and climate control specialists, Cool Services operates from extensive premises in Shrewsbury, supporting a growing team of engineers, apprentices and office staff.

With continued company growth and an expanding workforce, parts of our office space have evolved to accommodate more people and new working layouts. One particular first-floor office began to experience comfort issues as occupancy increased.

Rather than accept reduced air quality and temperature levels, we applied the same expertise we deliver to our clients to ensure our own team benefits from an optimised working environment.

The Challenge

As headcount increased and desk layouts were reconfigured, the existing air conditioning system in this office area began to struggle to maintain consistent comfort for employees.

The issues included:

• Noticeable hot and cold spots
• Uncomfortable draughts
• Uneven airflow across the space

The system serving this area consisted of a Daikin single split system with a ceiling cassette and a ducted split system supplying four grilles

Like many evolving workplaces, small adjustments had been made to grille positions over time to reduce draughts for individual occupants. However, these changes gradually disrupted overall airflow balance, unintentionally creating new discomfort elsewhere.

This is a common scenario in growing businesses: as teams expand and office layouts change, original airflow designs may no longer suit the revised occupancy and desk arrangement.

The Approach

This project also provided an ideal opportunity to support our internal training programme. Under the supervision of Training Hub Co-ordinator Alan Bradbury, our apprentice team was tasked with investigating and resolving the issue. Before starting, they completed a dedicated session focused on airflow principles, system balancing and air distribution strategies.

The objectives for the air conditioning project  were clear:

• Restore balanced airflow across the office
• Improve comfort without unnecessary equipment replacement
• Complete works while the office remained fully operational

Carrying out the project in a live working environment added valuable real-world experience in planning, communication, health & safety and professionalism.

The Solution

Initial assumptions were that additional equipment might be required. However, a detailed assessment showed that the core systems serving this part of the building were performing correctly, the issue lay in air distribution rather than capacity.

The solution was both practical and cost-effective:

• Increase the number of ducted supply grilles from four to six
• Rebalance airflow across the space
• Optimise distribution to suit the revised layout and occupancy

By improving air flow and distribution, we avoided the need for additional outdoor units or new ceiling cassettes.

The Result

The outcome was immediate and measurable:

• Even, consistent comfort across the office
• Elimination of draughts
• Improved working conditions for a growing team

Equally important was the professional manner in which the apprentices delivered the project. They worked considerately within the busy office environment while maintaining high technical and safety standards.

A Reflection of How We Work

This project demonstrates more than a successful air conditioning upgrade. It highlights, our ability to diagnose the cause of performance issues and our commitment to genuine, cost-effective and practical solutions.

It serves also to show investment in developing the next generation of skilled engineers

Even within our own headquarters, we apply the same technical expertise, structured processes and exacting standards that our clients expect from Cool Services.

Overview

When owner Bobby Corrin began planning the refurbishment of the Riverbank Bar and Grill -one of Shrewsbury’s best-loved riverside dining venues—he saw the opportunity to replace the ageing gas-fired air handling unit (AHU) with a modern, energy-efficient air conditioning system capable of delivering both heating and cooling.

The restaurant is located in Shrewsbury’s busy Victoria Quay, a former working quay, which was redeveloped in the 1990s and is now an area for leisure and recreation.

As the restaurant needed to stay open throughout the refurbishment, the project had to be carefully phased and executed with minimal disruption. Working within a characterful and challenging building with industrial heritage, our team delivered a futureproof air conditioning solution while supporting the wider fit-out programme and maintaining continuity of business for the client.

Project Requirements

Replace outdated gas AHU with a high-efficiency, all-electric HVAC solution

Enable full restaurant operation throughout works

Coordinate works with shopfitters and refurbishment contractors

Navigate access constraints at a tight riverside site

Maintain aesthetics within a sympathetically refurbished interior

Plan for a weather-sensitive crane lift during a period of high winds

Phased Installation to Maintain Business Operation

To ensure uninterrupted trading, the installation team structured the works in two distinct phases:

Phase 1 – First Floor Renovation

The first-floor dining space was prioritised, allowing the Riverbank to continue trading downstairs. We retrofitted the new Mitsubishi cassette systems into the existing building structure, carefully routing pipework, electrics, and condensate drainage to maintain the integrity and appearance of the newly refurbished space.

Phase 2 – Ground Floor Renovation

Once the upstairs was completed and reopened, we moved to the ground floor installation, repeating the process with minimal disruption to operations and the ongoing shopfitting works.

Our project team worked closely with the restaurant management and the refurbishment contractor to ensure smooth handovers between phases.

Technical Specification

The installed system comprised 8 × Mitsubishi Compact Cassettes, 4 on the ground floor and 4 on the first floor.  Each unit provides 6 kW heating and cooling which supplies 23.7 kW heating or cooling per floor.

Compact units 600 × 600 mm were chosen for seamless integration into the interior.

Outside the building 4 × Mitsubishi Outdoor Units were installed in a twin-split configuration in order to reduce the number of external units to four for improved aesthetics

Controls were wall mounted on each floor, enabling simple independent control and ensuring the air conditioning system delivers even, balanced comfort throughout each dining area. 

Complex Site Logistics & Crane Lift Management

With limited access to the rear courtyard and neighbouring businesses located close to the site, equipment delivery required careful logistical planning. Our team coordinated with local businesses, site management and suppliers to ensure a smooth and disruption-free process.

A crane lift was required to position the external units safely—but an imminent storm front presented a scheduling challenge. Working proactively, the project team monitored weather conditions closely, adjusted the lift date, and ensured all safety protocols were met without delaying the wider refurbishment programme.

The result was a smooth, well-coordinated and communicated operation with little inconvenience to neighbouring businesses.

Outcome

The Riverbank Bar and Grill now benefits from significantly improved energy efficiency and lower running costs together with:

Fast, responsive heating and cooling across both floors

A reliable, future-proofed system that supports the business for years to come

Improved comfort for customers and staff, enhancing the dining experience

Client Bobby Corrin is delighted with both the performance of the new system and the professionalism of the installation. He commented, “The new air conditioning has transformed the comfort of the restaurant and reduced our energy usage. The installation team from Cool Services managed everything brilliantly from start to finish.”

A Strong Solution for Shopfitters & Refurbishment Professionals

This project demonstrates how modern HVAC systems can be seamlessly integrated into sensitive refurbishment environments—even within heritage or structurally challenging buildings—and how phased installation can keep a commercial venue fully operational during major works.

Our team is experienced in collaborating with shopfitters, interior designers, and refurbishment contractors, providing professionally managed HVAC upgrades that align perfectly with wider project schedules.

If you’d like support on your next refurbishment project, we’re here to help.