French Plans has created a specialist department catering for this sector, offering a full range of services to international retail multiples and retail service agencies, whether operating from High Street premises, outlet villages or commercial centres/shopping malls.

We can offer a full package of services, or act as specialist advisors to your existing design/construction team to ensure all legal and planning requirements are accounted for. 

Services include: 

Evaluation of existing use, proposed modifications, freehold/leasehold considerations, translation and explanation of any specialist leasehold terms and landlord requirements, requirements and costs for the appointment of any specialist outside agencies, technical and design limitations imposed by landlord.

 Budget/cost assessment:

Estimation of project costs including renovation/conversion, fees payable to outside agencies/authorities, Services connections/transfer.

 Existing plans/layout:

Facades, shop front, floor plans, internal divides, changing rooms, management offices, RCP, public/staff, WC’s, cross sections.

 Design and technical implementation:

Working with your design team to maximise use of space, comply with local authority and/or landlord's limitations and expectations, health & safety considerations, fire regulations, disabled access.

 Construction drawings:

Full construction drawings for the renovation/conversion works, working in conjunction with your design team and/or general contractor/materials suppliers.

 Health & Safety:

Advise on implementation of H & S requirements during construction phase and upon handover by the contractors, supply of H & S policy compliant to French standards.

 Fire regulations:

Advise on fire regulations, ensure and obtain planning conformity, advise on and supply relevant equipment and maintenance contracts, organise liaison between retail unit and landlord's installation, organise equipment and conformity schedule and inspection plan, organise required notices.

 Disabled access:

Advise on disabled regulations, ensure and obtain planning conformity, advise on relevant dimensional restrictions and requirements, organise liaison between retail unit and landlord's installation, organise conformity and inspection plan, organise required notices.

 Video surveillance authorisation:

Advise on and obtain relevant authorisation for the use of security cameras/video surveillance.

 Planning consent:

Prepare and submit full planning dossier with relevant plans and documentation, ensure conformity with landlord's technical brief, liaise with any outside agencies as part of the planning process, follow application through to outcome and handle any queries or modifications during or after the process.

 Works authorisation (local authority/landlord):

Advise on and undertake all works authorisations, including one-off or regular submissions to comply with regulations and/or landlord's requirements.

 Certificates of conformity:

Advise on and obtain all certificates of conformity for works undertaken in conjunction with local authorities, your design team and general contractors.

 Services connections/transfer:

Organise transfer or connection of services: electricity, gas, water, drainage, telephone, internet, etc.

 Project management:

A range of options from one-off or regular progress reports (where the client has appointed a general contractor), to full site and construction management packages, sourcing and appointment of contractors and suppliers (including financial, business registration and insurance verification), financial management program, etc.

 As-built plans:

Upon successful completion of the project, prepare and supply full 'as built' plans and drawings taking account of any modifications to or deviations from the original design specification and construction drawings.