The Covered Wagon - Coventry
Transforming the former 1930s Toll Gate pub into The Covered Wagon required a careful balance between modernisation and heritage preservation. Central to this was a robust subfloor preparation strategy, designed to address its uneven condition and provide a stable, long-lasting foundation for heavy foot traffic.
Data
| Building type | Hotels, commercial kitchens and restaurants (UK) Leisure and sports complexes (UK) |
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Project brief
The transformation of the former 1930s pub, Toll Gate, into The Covered Wagon aimed to create a bold, contemporary hospitality venue while preserving the building’s original character. An award-winning Indian cuisine brand, The Covered Wagon, with established branches in Moseley and Coventry, has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, family-friendly dining experiences. This particular renovation focused on the Coventry branch, reimagining the space to reflect the brand’s identity with a fresh, modern edge.
Designed as a family-oriented Indian cuisine pub, the venue blends traditional warmth with a contemporary Indian-inspired twist, creating an inviting and culturally rich environment. A key objective was to deliver a durable, high-performance flooring solution capable of withstanding the demands of a busy pub setting while also complementing the overall interior design.
The flooring scheme was carefully curated to align with the venue’s aesthetic, balancing modern finishes with tones and textures that subtly reference Indian design influences. A warm plank floor defines the main dining area, while a striking tiled entrance, complete with a bespoke bar inlay, creates immediate visual impact upon arrival. This contrast not only enhances the customer journey but also clearly defines functional zones within the space.
Due to the aged and highly variable condition of the existing subfloor, a comprehensive preparation strategy was essential. This ensured a stable, level base capable of supporting the specified J2-rated finishes and delivering long-term durability under heavy footfall.
Why was this system selected?
J2 Design flooring provided the required aesthetics and robust performance for a busy hospitality space. The J2 muted oak luxury vinyl plank created an inviting, durable dining surface, while the J2 Minton (Harvard 002) LVT with a black back-fill and a precise 10mm feature strip delivered the “wow” factor at the main entrance and bar. UZIN’s repair products, primers, DPMs, smoothing compounds, and adhesives were selected to ensure a stable, long-lasting installation on the existing historic substrate.
Challenges
The project faced several significant challenges for CRM flooring. The aged subfloor from the 1930s required complete stripping and extensive remediation due to visible cracks and residual moisture typical of historic construction. Additionally, CRM flooring needed to ensure the flatness tolerance for the decorative J2 Minton tiles, which included a 10mm feature strip. Logistics also posed challenges, as CRM flooring had move and apply 2.5 tonnes of UZIN NC 196 smoothing compound within an urban site undergoing active refurbishment. These combined factors created both technical and scheduling pressures, necessitating careful sequencing and strict quality control.
Solution
CRM Flooring utilised a systematic, product-focused approach for the project. They began with a complete mechanical grind-back to expose a solid substrate, followed by targeted crack treatment and reinforcement using UZIN KR 516 crack repair and UZIN NC 182 rapid repair.
Various UZIN primers, DPMs, and smoothing compounds were then applied according to the substrate type. To mitigate moisture risks, CRM Flooring applied two coats of UZIN PE 481 epoxy damp-proof membrane in high-moisture areas, followed by UZIN PE 280 primer. Whereas CRM Flooring applied UZIN PE 630 primer and fill over plywood. CRM Flooring used approximately 135 bags of UZIN NC 196 fibre-reinforced smoothing compound to provide a smooth subfloor for the LVT. In certain areas, UZIN RR 201 fleece was embedded with the UZIN NC 196 to provide additional screed reinforcement. CRM Flooring used UZIN KE 66 HT adhesive to install all LVTs, ensuring a long-lasting bond.
The project involved phased scheduling and precise layout for the Minton tiles and feature strip. Thorough coordination with Harkin & Walker Design's supply partners, especially Ash at Strictly Flooring, was crucial to ensure timely delivery, installation, and quality checks at each stage. This meticulous approach successfully achieved the desired visual impact and durability.
Conclusion
CRM Flooring's refurbishment of The Covered Wagon demonstrates technical rigour and design-led installation across a challenging historic subfloor. The process involved a complete grind-back, targeted crack repairs, damp-proofing, and the application of approximately 2.5 tonnes of smoothing compound. This preparation enabled the precise installation of J2 LVT flooring, ensuring durability for heavy hospitality use while also creating a striking visual entrance feature. The successful outcome is the result of meticulous planning, careful product selection and close collaboration with the design team and supply partner.
