Something that we are seeing more and more of in our conversion projects, is the boom in the food industry. Whether units are being used for the preparation of food or drinks, as a pop-up bar or café, or a full-blown restaurant, we’ve seen it all – and more.
Shipping vessels are ideal for use in the food industry as they can give you flexibility over where you put it, how you kit it out, decorate it, and how you use it.
Our bespoke conversions are specially designed in conjunction with our customers. Once you purchase a storage unit our specialist design team will work with you, utilising our computer-aided design software to create something that is perfectly tailored to your needs and wants.
We’re proud of all of our food industry conversions, but here are some of our favourites…
Café Direct Promotional Coffee Shop Unit
Café Direct briefed us to design and build a promotional unit for their coffee shops, showcasing their company ethos around recycling and the environment.
One of the most important features of this project was that the conversion used as many recycled materials as possible. The shipping containers that we use have all been used at least once – whether you have a ‘new’ or used unit. They not only have a modern, industrial look but also look upcycled (because they are) and are perfect for what Café Direct was looking for.
Our design team created wheelchair-friendly access at the side opening of the 20ft modular building, and re-purposed wooden pallets to create the cupboards. It comes fitted with electricity and lighting (made from ceramic coffee cups), water, and has been professionally painted with the company branding.
Beech House Pub Outdoor Bar
Another of our favourites is the outdoor bar that we created for the Beech House pub in Solihull. This, I’m sure, has been especially useful to them since the COVID-19 pandemic as it has allowed more customers to sit outside.
The shipping container was painted green to continue the look of their city garden and we fitted the bar with everything that a fully-equipped outside bar needs, including beer lines, power, and lighting, chillers, washers under the counter, and bar surfaces made from food-safe oak laminate.
The fitting of bi-folding doors and a beautiful wooden interior cladding really completed the look.
Pop-Up Café for Bar Gazetas
London architects, Bar Gazetas wanted to create a pop-up café to free up space at Battersea Studios. We started by stacking two structures on top of each other and a mezzanine platform was added. We then added an exterior staircase to provide access to the first floor.
Lighting, hatches, and personnel doors were added, electricity was then fitted, and lastly the appropriate food preparation surfaces and equipment. Here at S Jones, we also crafted a large and iconic letter ‘B’ from Corten steel plates which sits on top of the structure.
Wahaca Temporary Restaurant
One of our most iconic projects is the Wahaca temporary restaurant that we were integral to designing and building on London’s Southbank. The restaurant needed to be built quickly as it needed to be ready for the London Olympic Games and the Queen’s jubilee, so converting shipping vessels was the perfect solution.
We used a total of eight units to create a two-storey structure with stunning views, making space for 130 diners. The restaurant was fitted out with everything that is needed for a river-side restaurant including large sliding glass doors, lighting, wall lining – and of course, a tequila bar.
We love all of our bespoke modification projects, and these are just a few of them. We think that conversions (big and small) into a food establishment is a great idea. Not only do they look sharp and modern, but they are also versatile in terms of design.
