Jungle refresh served up at zoo cafe

A COMPREHENSIVE makeover of one of the popular restaurant options at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo is to be served up by Procast.

The existing Jungle Café, which looks on to the idyllic Mansionhouse, will be transformed into a new premium 200-cover restaurant offering traditional fish and chips, using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

With a budget of £500,000, the project will commence in the middle of April, 2022, and the finished package is scheduled to be handed over to the clients – Scottish creative agency 422 – just a few weeks later in June.

This project will bring together 442 Design, BJM Design and Procast to help create a newly refurbished vibrant eatery.

The programme of works will include:

• Minor demolition/slap-through works
• The replacement of existing main entrance door with new, wider power-assisted double sliding doors
• Removal of all existing finishes including mechanical and electrical services, ceilings, floor coverings, wall coverings, kitchen equipment and server and all fixed and loose furniture
• Supply and installation of new plasterboard ceilings
• Supply and installation of new vinyl floor coverings
• Supply and installation of new fixed and loose furniture both internally and to outdoor terrace area
• Supply and installation of new kitchen equipment and servery
• New lighting
• New fire and heat detection systems
• New joinery finishes, including wall panelling
• New bathroom sanitaryware
• New hygienic wall cladding to kitchen areas
• Full re-decoration
• New signage
• New graphics

Because the refurbishment will take place while the zoo remains open during a busy period, rigorous procedures and processes relating to traffic management, security and housekeeping will be managed and coordinated by our project team.

They will also ensure the highest level of communication and cooperation with the zoo team to ensure the works do not adversely affect the day-to-day operations of park areas within the locality.

Procast’s operations will be headed up by Contracts Manager Gary Baxter and Site Manager Graeme Scott, while Commercial Manager John Kane will be aided by Beth Dougan, Assistant Quantity Surveyor.

A Procast spokesman said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this exciting project to deliver such a fantastically designed restaurant space in Edinburgh Zoo for all to explore and enjoy.

“We are really looking forward to working collaboratively with 442 Design Ltd and their client Restaurant Associates (part of Compass Group) and the RZSS, and we hope to continue this partnership in the future.

“We will be working closely with our manufactured joinery partner BJM Design Ltd –who have an excellent track record – to deliver this project on time and on budget to the client and end users’ satisfaction.”

Ben Supple, director of engagement and business development at RZSS, said, “We are very excited to be working collaboratively with Procast to create this new dining experience at Edinburgh Zoo and bring our vision to life.

“The transformed space will allow us to take our catering offering to the next level and shows our charity’s commitment to serving the very best in sustainable Scottish produce. We can’t wait for everyone to see it and try the delicious food.”