As you would expect, thanks to its reputation as one of the top shopping destinations in Europe – and certainly, one of the most exciting – there are a number of shopfitting companies in London.
Not all of these companies make the grade though when it comes to design in particular. And that’s why, as one of Scotland’s leading fit out companies, we want to share our expertise in the UK capital. We have already shown our credentials in Scotland’s capital and it’s on-trend shopping city, Glasgow. Other large-scale projects the team at Steampunk here have led on include a hotel in upmarket St Andrews, a chain restaurant in Belfast and a relaxation & beauty spa in Liverpool. So, we certainly feel we can compete with the best of the shopfitting companies in London around at present.
What sets London retail apart
The retail competition in London is, of course, so much greater than in other UK cities. Just take a look at high end Bond Street (Tiffany & Co, and Browns), Oxford Street (Selfridges), Knightsbridge (Harrods and Harvey Nichols) or Regent Street with the likes of Liberty London and Hamleys. Then there is the bespoke tailor heaven that is Saville Row and the quirkiness of Carnaby Street (The Kooples and Irregular Choice).
In order to stand out then you don’t just need great products, but also eye-catching design and to provide the customer with an experience that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. This is especially the case when it is so much easier to buy online these days. Sensory stimulation and taste aren’t available online and are two areas where pop-up stores in particular seem to excel.
The capital is fast-paced; always has been. Just look at the emergence of Shoreditch and the gentrification of Hackney. The key point here is that people don’t just get used to change, they like it. And it’s why it’s always a good idea to refurb every few years to keep things ‘fresh’ for your retail customers, restaurant guests, hairdressing clients etc. It doesn’t have to be a major refurb; even changing the flooring, colour of the walls and introducing some new storage can make a big difference.
Of course, another reason to refresh your surrounds is to keep up with the latest design trends. No-one likes to be a victim to fashion but, on the other hand, no retail outlet, restaurant or café is going to survive if it continues to look a decade behind its competitors. Just ask any of the current shopfitting companies in London worth their salt. It’s especially the case in today’s Instagram age where youngsters love to upload selfies of themselves in some trendy city spot.
How we work at Steampunk fit out
At Steampunk our experienced team has three decades of skills and knowledge behind us. That doesn’t mean we’ve ‘been there and seen it all.’ But what it does mean is that we know how to work quickly, efficiently and effectively. We do this by meticulous design and planning. A wasted day because certain materials haven’t turned up is another day your shop or restaurant can’t open and a portion of your profit down the drain. We don’t that let that happen at Steampunk.
We also believe in transparent pricing so you’ll never get a bill filled with ‘hidden extras’ from us at the end of a project. If we do need to change materials for whatever reason during a project we will always consult you beforehand and inform you if it means any potential price increase.
And, talking of materials, we always source the best quality we can find. These days materials used for fit out interiors tend to be flexible and interchangeable, allowing them to be repositioned, easily adapted and redesigned when needed. In other words, we build the desire for change into our designs.
We work flexibly too in that we can fit a suspended ceiling or install a display of modern partitioning while your shop remains open. We just schedule around the times when you expect your customers.
The most important part of our process as far as you are concerned is the design process. We will never ‘impose’ our design ideas on you. Instead we like to listen to our clients’ own ideas about how they see their restaurant, boutique store, hairdressing salon etc and then perhaps elaborate on them. We can also show you previous work we have completed as inspiration for your own design, or we can research what is on-trend for your particular sector.
At a later stage, once the design ideas have been better formulated, we use CAD software to visualise concepts via realistic three-dimensional drawings. At this point we can go on to discuss finishes, such as concrete worktops with exposed aggregates, or polished concrete flooring etc.
Who we work with at Steampunk fit out
We have been working with the same team for what feels like forever now. And we like it that way. Our joiners, craftsmen, electricians, plumbers and designers all know how each other work. We get the best person on-site for project management and arrange all the technical documentation necessary for Health and Safety and Building Control approval. We are all aware of each other’s strengths and we play to them. That way we know we can guarantee our customers a premium quality service and fit out.
Get in touch for bespoke commissions
If you are currently looking at shopfitting companies in London because you need a contemporary upgrade to your existing design, then do consider ourselves here at Steampunk. We are happy to meet for an initial consultation and provide a series of design ideas for your approval.
Before you do though, why not take a look through some of our previous work and which you can find on our website www.steampunkfitout.co.uk. We are based in Perthshire in Scotland but have worked on client projects throughout the UK. You can call us on 0800 197 2922 or drop us an email via the Contact Us page on our website.
If you're looking for a highly skilled team of craftsmen and designers for your London Shopfitting project, why not see if we can help bring ideas into fruition?
We are professional Shopfitters in Scotland, who offer a genuine value for money service blessed with high end valued craftsmanship, experienced project management skills and qualified labour. With all trade requirements covered we strategically alliance with other dedicated professionals to provide a full service from design, technical drawings, planning, logistical and project management, installation, construction, regulations and certifications.
Contact
SteamPunk Fit Out & Shopfitters
Unit 9-10
Welton Business Park
Welton Road
Blairgowrie
PH10 6HE
T: 0800 197 2922