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Installation: Hygienic Flooring for Tofurei, the UK's First Micro-Soya Dairy
Posted on: 22nd February 2017Tofurei is the UK’s first shop-based micro-soya dairy and it recently opened in Norwich. Pop into Tofurei in the Norwich Lanes for a great cup of vegan coffee or to grab a snack from their fully stocked vegan deli counter. When the business was establishing itself in its home at number 12 Pottergate last year, they called in Reform Flooring to give their dairy a hygienic and easily cleanable floor.
Good Quality Vegan Food in the Heart of Norwich
The proportion of vegans, vegetarians and meat-and-dairy reducers is gradually increasing - so a popular shopping area like Norwich Lanes has been crying out for a quality vegan coffee shop. Tofurei co-founder Steve Lepper describes the new business:
“Tofurei is a start-up and the only micro-soya dairy in the UK. We combine a coffee shop and grab and go with the production of soya milk, tofu and things made with our soya milk and tofu - all in the same space.”
The Correct Flooring
The flooring is of immense importance in any area that is to be used for food preparation. The property that Tofurei took over had previously been used as a clothes shop, so some attention needed to be paid to the floor. Steve recalls his thought processes:
“The unit we have is quite small and had previously sold clothes not food. Consequently, we needed to redesign the space to accommodate the soya dairy, the kitchen and the shop. The space is very heavily used and particularly in the food areas needs to be hygienic, robust and easily cleanable. We decided to keep the original tiled floor in the customer areas and build a raised floor with a floor covering for the food prep areas. We chose a light colour to emphasise the contrast between the customer and production areas.”
Tarasafe Ultra by Gerflor
Tofurei wanted Tarasafe Ultra by Gerflor to cover the floor of their production area. Stef popped in with his flooring charts and Tofurei selected a cream colour with orange flecks.
Tarasafe Ultra is a slip resistant vinyl safety flooring that meets all the guidelines laid down by the Health and safety executive to ensure safety at work. The vinyl flooring gets its slip-resistant qualities from inlaid crystal particles. The flooring is 100% recyclable and has been treated to provide extreme resistance to soiling and staining. With a twelve-year warranty, this flooring will be providing grip and protection for a very long time.
Work Carried Out:
- We prepared the subfloor with a fine finish smoothing compound.
- We supplied and fitted the Tarasafe Ultra safety vinyl colour Diopside with hot welded joints.
- We installed 100mm high coved skirtings to ensure no water ingress under the floor. This also makes the floor and skirting easily cleanable.
- Where required, we replaced the PVC black nosings on the steps.
Five Star Status
Late last year, Tofurei were awarded a five star hygiene rating. Five stars is the highest possible rating - the hygiene of this food preparation and service business is impeccable.
We wish every success to the team at Tofurei, we will certainly be dropping in for a coffee next time we are in the city and we recommend that you do too.
If you are opening a start-up and would like some information about any aspect of our commercial flooring services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call us on 01603 879359 or drop an email to sales@reformflooring.co.uk.
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