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Case Study

University of Cambridge

A full kitchen and servery redevelopment for one of the University of Cambridge’s most distinctive colleges, delivered on time and on budget.

Hughes Hall is a busy Cambridge college environment where catering plays an important role in daily student life, formal dining, hospitality and events. The redevelopment required a complete transformation of the existing kitchen and servery space, creating a modern, efficient and resilient facility capable of supporting a wide range of foodservice demands.

Our team delivered a full strip-out and rebuild, including structural alterations, upgraded drainage, new electrical supplies, replacement fire-rated ductwork, a new ventilation system, high-quality finishes, commercial kitchen equipment and a modern servery. Despite additional works being added during the programme, the project was completed on time, under budget and with zero accidents.

A kitchen at the University of Cambridge
A servery at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge

A complex college kitchen redevelopment delivered to the client's exact requirement

A full refurbishment of Hughes Hall’s kitchen and servery environment, combining structural works, M&E upgrades, specialist ventilation, commercial catering equipment and high-quality finishes.
 
Project Details
Client

Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge

Sector

Education

Project type

Kitchen and Servery Redevelopment

Project Value

Over £500k

Delivery

On time and under budget

Health & Safety

Zero accidents and zero incidents

Delivering a full kitchen and servery redevelopment on time, under budget and with zero accidents took careful planning, strong communication and excellent coordination across every trade involved.

- Project Manager, Airedale Group

The Challenge

Transforming a busy college catering environment

Hughes Hall needed a modern kitchen and servery capable of supporting day-to-day dining, formal hospitality and events, within a building that required significant structural and services upgrades.

The existing kitchen and servery required a full redevelopment to improve operational flow, efficiency and the overall dining experience. Rather than a surface-level refurbishment, the project involved stripping the space back to the original blockwork and reconfiguring the environment to create a more open, efficient and future-ready layout.

The works had to bring together multiple specialist disciplines, including demolition, structural steelwork, underground drainage, electrical upgrades, ventilation, fire-rated ductwork, internal plumbing, finishes, equipment installation and servery fit-out. Additional plumbing works were also introduced during the programme, extending the original scope while maintaining the agreed completion date.

Project Elements Included:

  • Full strip-out of the existing kitchen and servery
  • Internal walls removed to improve operational flow
  • New steelwork, drainage and electrical infrastructure
  • Replacement fire-rated ductwork and ventilation
  • Additional plumbing works back to the boiler house
  • Delivery maintained against the original programme
A new kitchen installed by Airedale Group for the University of Cambridge

A full kitchen and servery redevelopment from shell to service

Our team managed the complete transformation of the space, from demolition and structural works through to services, finishes, equipment installation and final handover.

The project began with the complete demolition of the existing kitchen and servery, taking the area back to the original blockwork. From there, we reconfigured the space to improve flow, openness and long-term usability, including the removal of internal walls and the installation of new structural steelwork.

Airedale then delivered the essential infrastructure required to support a high-performance commercial kitchen. This included upgraded underground drainage, new electrical supplies, renewed internal plumbing back to the boiler house, replacement fire-rated ductwork and a new ventilation system. The space was completed with high-quality wall and floor finishes, a full commercial kitchen suite and a modern servery system designed to support the college’s daily dining and hospitality needs.

Fit out of a new foodservice facility

Strip-out, structure and layout

Complete demolition of the existing kitchen and servery back to the original blockwork, with internal walls removed and new structural steelwork installed to create a more open, efficient layout.

services and ventilation

Services, ventilation and compliance

Upgraded underground drainage, new electrical supplies, renewed internal plumbing, replacement fire-rated ductwork and a new ventilation system to support a safe, resilient commercial kitchen environment.

a kitchen and servery at University of Cambridge

Finishes, equipment and servery

High-quality wall and floor finishes, a complete commercial kitchen suite and a modern servery system designed to improve workflow, capacity and the day-to-day dining experience.

Protecting the programme while improving the scope

Additional works were introduced during the project, but the final delivery remained controlled, coordinated and commercially disciplined.

As the redevelopment progressed, the scope expanded to include the renewal of internal plumbing back to the site’s boiler house. Rather than allowing this to disrupt the programme, our team absorbed the additional works through careful sequencing, close trade coordination and clear communication with the client team.

The result was a wider package of improvements than originally anticipated, delivered without compromising the agreed completion date, budget position or site safety performance.

a back of house shot of a kitchen at the University of Cambridge

Airedale services used

The Result

A modern college kitchen built for daily service and hospitality

Hughes Hall now has a fully redeveloped kitchen and servery environment designed to support efficient service, improved workflow and a better dining experience.

The completed project gives Hughes Hall a modern, high-performance commercial kitchen and servery facility capable of supporting the college’s day-to-day catering needs, formal dining, hospitality and events.

By reconfiguring the space, upgrading core services and installing a completely new kitchen and servery system, the redevelopment has created a more practical, resilient and future-ready environment for the college’s catering team and the wider Hughes Hall community.

The new facility includes:

  • Fully modernised kitchen and servery environment

  • Improved operational flow and space utilisation

  • Upgraded services infrastructure for long-term resilience

  • Modern ventilation and fire-rated ductwork

  • New commercial kitchen suite and servery system

  • Enhanced experience for students, staff, guests and event users

The finished project gives Hughes Hall a modern kitchen and servery environment that is better planned, better supported by its infrastructure and more capable of meeting the demands of a busy Cambridge college.

- Project Manager, Airedale Group

Some of the catering equipment installed by Airedale Group at Cambridge University

FAQs

What did Airedale deliver at Hughes Hall?
What did Airedale deliver at Hughes Hall?

We delivered a full kitchen and servery redevelopment, including the complete strip-out of the existing space, structural alterations, drainage upgrades, new electrical supplies, renewed plumbing, fire-rated ductwork, ventilation, finishes, commercial kitchen equipment and a modern servery system.

Was this a full refurbishment or an equipment-only project?
Was this a full refurbishment or an equipment-only project?

This was a full refurbishment and redevelopment project. The existing kitchen and servery were stripped back to the original blockwork, with internal walls removed and new structural steelwork installed to support the reconfigured space.

Did the scope change during the project?
Did the scope change during the project?

Yes. Additional works were introduced during the programme, including the renewal of internal plumbing back to the site’s boiler house. These works were incorporated without affecting the original completion date.

How was the project delivered?
How was the project delivered?

The project was delivered through proactive planning, clear communication and careful coordination across multiple specialist trades. Despite the expanded scope, the scheme was completed on time and under budget.

What health and safety performance was achieved?
What health and safety performance was achieved?

The project was completed with zero accidents and zero incidents across the full programme, reflecting strong site management and a disciplined approach to health and safety.

Were there any sustainability benefits?

Yes. The project achieved an estimated reduction of approximately 2,000kg of CO₂ emissions and fuel cost savings of more than £2,500 through the use of lower-emission plant and consolidated logistics.

What is the outcome for Hughes Hall?

Hughes Hall now has a fully modernised kitchen and servery environment designed to improve workflow, efficiency and user experience for staff, students, guests and event users. 

Need to upgrade your university's dining facilities?

Airedale is a full member of TUCO and a specialist in supporting higher education.  Contact us to discuss with our sector experts.

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