HVM ramraid protection measures put in place at London Gucci stores

Crowdguard provides an overview of the ramraid protection measures it has implemented for designer brand, Gucci, following growing concerns around a rise in organised crime targeting high-street outlets. 

With several high-end brands having been the target of thieves and organised crime, where vehicles have been used to gain access through the store front and steal valuable stock, Gucci turned to Crowdguard for guidance on two of its stores in London. Sloane Street, the established London flagship store, and New Bond Street, a recently refurbished location, due to open this autumn.

The challenge for each of the stores was to deliver certified and impact-tested HVM protection for the store front, without detracting from the impact of the location or the luxury aesthetic of the brand.

In each location, the solution had to align to the aesthetic and operational streetscape requirements of the public realm asset owners – Cadogan Estates in the case of Sloane Street, and Westminster Council and English Heritage for the New Bond Street store.

It was also important to consider the technical aspects of each location, including the need for shallow mount foundations to avoid any risk of damage to the basement of each retail property.

Complementary to the stores’ aesthetics 

The firm advised for the use of the Unafor Core system, as it has shallow mount foundations and easier deployment and removal.

For the Sloane Street store, the installation involved six Unafor Core bases, each with two upstands. The 12 upstands have been fabricated to a bespoke design with a high grade 316 stainless steel bollard sleeve, which matches the aesthetic of the streetscape upgrade being planned by Cadogan, according to Crowdguard.

The shallow mount foundations have also been installed with temporary surfacing, pending the urban landscaping project, and will remain in place when the new pavement finishes are installed.

For the New Bond Street store, the specification involves a dual Unafor Core system with two upstands.

The bollards for the HVM solution have been manufactured with an anodised bronze finish that complements the Gucci colour palette and the architect’s design scheme for the store.

Following the success of implementing the protection for these stores, Crowdguard was named Gucci’s ramraid protection partner for Europe, with the next installation due to take place in Amsterdam.

Pawel Pajaczek, North Europe Retail Security Manager at Gucci commented: “It’s been a pleasure working with Crowdguard to provide ramraid protection to our flagship New Bond Street store, due to open later this year. Crowdguard understood the requirements of a high quality product to meet the aesthetic requirements of the Gucci brand and with the operational specification from a security and store perspective.

“We are also working in conjunction with Crowdguard at our other flagship stores, and look forward to the further installs in the coming months”.

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