Brighton Enterprise Rent A Car

Project Overview – Enterprise, Brighton

Prodjex was tasked with redeveloping a former Travis Perkins branch situated beneath Brighton’s historic railway arches. The project presented unique challenges. This was due to stringent structural regulations imposed by the company managing the arches. They had acquired a 100-year lease from Network Rail for £1 billion. These constraints required innovative construction solutions to deliver a high-quality, fully operational facility while preserving the integrity of the arches.

Key Challenges & Solutions

Navigating Strict Structural Limitations

• Due to strict regulations, we were only permitted to drill into the brickwork using M10 - 70mm fixings, requiring meticulous planning to ensure stability and compliance.
• Trenching was restricted to a maximum depth of 500mm within three metres of an arch, necessitating precision excavation techniques.

Installing Essential Amenities in a Facility Without Existing Services

• The site lacked a Tea Point and WC facilities, requiring the installation of a sump pump system to pump foul water uphill and away from the site, overcoming the absence of natural drainage.

Meeting Insulation and Energy Efficiency Standards

The original walls were exceptionally thin and lacked insulation. To comply with Building Control regulations and achieve a U-value of 0.26, we drylined the space using heavily insulated, British Gypsum panels designed specifically for thermal efficiency.

Enhancing the Façade While Complying With Planning Requirements

• A bespoke door and frame were crafted for the new pavement entrance, ensuring it was aesthetically in line with surrounding buildings to satisfy Planning regulations.
• We removed the existing pavement-side windows that contained single laminated glass panes with no insulation.
• We adapted the existing timber frames to accommodate double-glazed panes, significantly improving thermal performance. To enhance privacy, we applied a frosted crystal manifestation to prevent visibility from the street.

High-Quality Fit-Out Works

With a commitment to delivering a seamless, professional workspace, the Prodjex team carried out a comprehensive fit-out, including:

• Internal Upgrades:
  • Stud partitions
  • Suspended ceilings
  • Tape & jointing
  • Internal and external decoration
  • Power, data, and lighting installations
  • Vinyl and carpet tile flooring
  • WC installations, including DSA-compliant facilities
  • A DDA-compliant internal ramp to accommodate height differences between the interior and exterior
• Exterior Enhancements:
  • New aluminium door and windows on the side elevation
  • Metal-clad, insulated Car Wash Bay designed to minimise noise pollution, a key Planning requirement due to the surrounding residential area

Groundworks & Site Optimisation

To ensure the site was fully functional and environmentally compliant, we carried out extensive groundworks:

• Installation of a Car Wash Bay slab with foul drainage
• Trenching for foul and surface water drainage, adhering to the strict excavation depth limits
• Site levelling and resurfacing with new Tarmacadam
• Drop bollards and line marking to optimise traffic flow and operational efficiency

Enterprise is renowned for its ‘home-city’ locations that provide convenient car rental services for local communities. Tasked with transforming a challenging railway arch space into a fully operational branch, our team navigated strict structural constraints, limited excavation permissions, and a complete absence of existing amenities.

By combining technical ingenuity with a deep understanding of planning and building regulations, we delivered a space that is not only visually striking but also highly functional. The result is a modern, energy-efficient, and compliant facility designed to meet the everyday needs of both Enterprise staff and their customers.

This project forms part of our broader partnership with Enterprise, where we’ve delivered consistent results across multiple sites. For another example of our work, explore our Barnet case study, where we completely rebuilt a former coach house and sensitively modernised an old pub to create a distinctive and efficient new branch.

Outcome

Outcome

Through careful planning, innovative solutions, and expert execution, Prodjex successfully transformed the former Travis Perkins branch into a modern, fully operational facility that met stringent planning and structural regulations.

Client Impact:

• A fully insulated, energy-efficient workspace compliant with Building Control regulations
• Seamless drainage solutions overcoming the site’s original lack of amenities
• Enhanced privacy and security with bespoke glazing and entrance solutions
• Optimised operational efficiency through improved site layout and accessibility
• Minimal environmental and community impact through noise-reducing insulation and sustainable construction methods

If you’re looking for an expert partner to navigate complex building regulations and deliver high-quality, compliant fit-out solutions, get in touch with Prodjex today.

At Prodjex, we thrive on overcoming challenges—whether it’s working within strict planning constraints or transforming unconventional spaces into high-performance environments. Our work on the Brighton railway arch for Enterprise is just one example of how we deliver tailored, compliant, and future-ready fit-out solutions across the UK.

If you’re looking for a reliable partner with proven experience in complex, multi-site fit outs and heritage refurbishments, we’re here to help. Explore our full range of services and get in touch with the Prodjex team to bring your next project to life.

Our other Enterprise projects:

• Enterprise - Barnet
• Enterprise - Chingford
• Enterprise - Enfield
• Enterprise - Finchley