ASWS renovates steel window frontage to Edgware Road events venue

As one of the capital’s busiest and most vibrant arteries, renovating the ageing steel windows within the frontage to a very popular events venue on the Edgware Road posed particular challenges for metal window specialist, Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS). This involved careful planning and flexible working, including some very early morning and weekend shifts.

In fact, Etc. Venues, at 86 Edgware Road, extends to four storeys with the ground floor being occupied by a Tesco store.  Furthermore, the client’s business, which rents out different sized function rooms to multiple clients, was also required to remain operational throughout the contract, as ASWS carried out a variety of repair and maintenance tasks.

The existing windows are classic W20 style steel windows with either side-hung or pivot opening lights, ranging from 1.5m to 2m wide and up to 3m high.  Although subject to some corrosion and physical damage, ASWS’s skill and experience at in-situ repairs proved very much in line with the client’s requirements. 

Kris Bennell, Contract Director for ASWS, explained, “We had previously been involved with Etc. Venues in carrying out some carefully considered repairs to the upper level of County Hall on the South Bank, so this was a continuation of the relationship, but this time taking more of a maintenance approach to the building’s requirements.  This included carrying out a number of repairs to frames and vents, as well as reglazing a lot of the units, putty repairs and replacing some of the original handles.  This was done using refurbished handles and catches from our own stocks.”

“Aside from the client having daily bookings for meetings and other functions within a lot of the rooms - which can hold up to 100 people - the only time the street outside goes quiet is between 3-6am, which meant getting our operatives there in numbers on a Sunday morning and cordoning off parts of the pavement.  Ultimately, all of the work was carried out successfully, with our site management scheduling the work, sometimes at short notice – to suit the client’s bookings.” 

Any of the fixed or opening lights which required reglazing were fitted with 4mm glass, including 4mm toughened where required for safety considerations. 

The Head of Design for Etc. Venues, Franck Rosello, commented: “I choose ASWS for many reasons. First, their prompt quotation which included a survey, so the job was understood well from the early requests. Also, our needs, with regards to access and use of the building, were considered which meant we could continue to operate our business. Finally, the job was done with great care and safety in mind. We have had two large jobs done by ASWS and have been highly satisfied from a delivery point of view.”

ASWS is a long-established member of the Steel Window Association and well recognised expert in the repair of metal windows, from the earliest wrought iron examples through to contemporary curtain walling.  The family run business is frequently called upon to prepare condition surveys during the appraisal stages of a project, which then become part of the planning or listed building permission process.  The company also maintains a very large stock of ironmongery and metal frame components to assist in its restoration work.  

Pictured is Kris Bennell, Director for ASWS.

For more information on ASWS, please visit asws.co.uk.