Before any installation work could commence, UFS undertook a complete uplift of the existing floor coverings throughout all designated areas. This involved the safe and efficient removal of legacy surfaces to reveal the underlying subfloor, enabling us to begin work from a structurally sound and uncontaminated base.

Key Actions:

• Careful extraction of all existing flooring across the Foodhall, GM and fitting room zones.

• Disposal and site management to maintain cleanliness and safety in public and staff areas.

• Surface inspection to assess substrate condition prior to remediation.

This initial phase was critical in ensuring long-term adhesion, structural integrity, and product performance.

With the original flooring fully removed, UFS turned its focus to preparing the subfloor to commercial specification. This involved a multi-step approach including the installation of a damp-proof membrane (DPM), specialist primers, and a durable smoothing screed.

Subfloor Preparation Process:

• Application of high-performance DPM to protect against residual or rising moisture.

• Use of primer to optimise adhesion between the DPM, screed, and final flooring system.

• Installation of a robust screed layer to ensure flatness, stability, and tolerance to retail loadings.

This process created a long-lasting foundation suited for high-footfall commercial environments, enhancing both longevity and underfoot comfort.

To meet M&S’s strict operational and aesthetic standards, UFS installed two distinct Tarkett finishes across the store, selected for their resilience, hygiene benefits, and ease of maintenance.

Installation Details:

• Tarkett Green Fleck was laid in the Foodhall to support hygiene compliance, slip resistance, and durability in food retail environments.

• Tarkett Argentum Rock was installed in the GM and fitting room areas to provide a sleek, durable surface that complements customer-facing zones.

Precision cutting, alignment, and bonding were central to this phase, ensuring the flooring was both visually seamless and mechanically resilient.

Executing a project of this scale within a live retail setting required close coordination with store teams and careful planning to avoid operational disruption. UFS applied strict health & safety procedures while delivering a high standard of finish and adherence to brand guidelines.

Operational Strategy:

• Staged working patterns and dust-control measures to maintain a safe trading environment.

• Real-time communication with site managers to phase works in line with store schedules.

• Final quality checks and transition detailing to achieve a uniform and trip-free floor surface.

The result is a high-performance flooring system that enhances store functionality while aligning with the M&S customer experience.