Page 13 - NewsLester Issue 03

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is home to the most extensive collection of portraits in the world, receiving between 1.5-2 million visitors each year. In 1856, it was the world’s first portrait gallery relocating only once in 1896, moving
to its current site at St Martin's Place, adjoining the National Gallery.
In 2020, the Gallery began a major refurbishment programme leading to its full closure until 2023.
The NPG’s project name for the refurbishment is "Inspiring People" and comprises of a comprehensive redisplay of the Collection from the Tudors to now. Combined with a complete refurbishment of the building, the creation of new public spaces, a more welcoming visitor entrance, public forecourt, and a new state of the art Learning Centre.
Part of this refurbishment project, undertaken by one of the UK’s largest
independent lift companies, includes the installation of five, machine-room-less (MRL) lifts, four, 4-storey ones for public usage and one lift for staff only.
Lester Controls will be supplying ALMEGA II controllers, along with a full shaft package including: CEDES APS shaft positioning system: limit kit and car top controls, also Lester’s Flexibus serial push and indicator systems. The controller delivery schedule is due to start in November 2021.
THE SUPERMARKET CHALLENGE
It is very unlikely that anyone in the UK that shops regularly or watches the news, is not aware of the fierce competition between the supermarket chains. Whilst food prices are the principal driver between the supermarkets, the customer shopping experience comes as a remarkably close second. As a result, all the chains have instigated store refurbishment programmes of varying levels. ASDA, the second largest supermarket chain in the UK, with over 630 locations nationally, including 32 Supercentres, are no exception and have been undertaking major refurbishment programmes in stores across the UK.
We have already reported in Issue 1 of NewsLesters about the various ASDA modernisation projects that used Lester Controls for various lift & escalator projects in 2020. Following on
from the successful installation of our controllers, ASDA have nominated us as the preferred controller partner for their lift,
escalator and moving walk modernisation programme covering OEM, and Chinese ANLEV equipment.
During the first six months of 2021, and working with our installation client, we supplied ten ALMEGA II Traction VF controllers for stores in England, Scotland and Wales.
NEWSLESTER Issue 3 :: Page 13