South Downs Nurseries
CLIENT:
South Downs Nurseries
PROJECT LOCATION:
Hassocks | South East
PROJECT VALUE:
N/A
ARCHITECT:
N/A
PROJECT MANAGER:
N/A
CONTRACTOR
N/A
South Downs Nurseries in Hassocks, Sussex, expanded its catering facilities with a new coffee shop set within a striking oak barn building. Vision Commercial Kitchens was appointed to deliver the kitchen and servery, providing a modern catering space within a challenging but characterful environment.
Designing for a unique setting
The new coffee shop spans a large barn structure with soaring wooden beams and capacity for 175 diners. Vision’s design had to adapt to these architectural features, ensuring the catering facilities were fitted carefully around the existing structure while preserving the rustic aesthetic.
The facility also forms part of the new Heritage and Craft Centre at the nursery, further increasing visitor appeal.
State-of-the-art kitchen and servery
Vision designed and installed a state-of-the-art kitchen capable of supporting South Downs' ambitious menu, which makes use of fresh, seasonal produce grown in the nursery's on-site gardens. Alongside the kitchen, a bespoke servery counter was provided in collaboration with JQ Contracts. Featuring natural oak hardwood detailing, the counter complements the barn interiors and creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere for diners.
Positive results for the client
The completed facility marked a major step forward for South Downs Nurseries, more than doubling the café’s capacity. Vision’s work delivered a kitchen and servery that not only support efficient operations but also align with the client’s long-term growth plans.
Testimonial
"We are delighted with the kitchen design solution and subsequent equipment and installation service we have received from Vision. Our new Coffee Shop and Restaurant in the South Downs is a quantum leap forward from the old one and has included more than a doubling in capacity.
We have great plans for it and the layout and efficiency of the kitchen is absolutely key to us. We have only been open in our new green oak barn building for one month, but we can already see that the kitchen is more than fit for purpose and the layout and machinery both work well for us and, critically, are scalable. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the project was that, through a close working relationship with Vision, we were able to close our old Coffee Shop at the end of business on a Sunday as normal and then open for business the next morning in the new Coffee Shop, all without a hitch.
We are very pleased to have done business with Vision and for our (grand!) designs to have been fully realised by them."
- Paul Mead, Coffee Shop Manager, South Downs Nurseries
