In November 2015 the Heavitree Brewery Plc wanted an extensive new paved beer garden as part of the brewery’s refurbishment and redevelopment of the George & Dragon Pub in Dartmouth to a ‘Destination Venue’. The GS Architects design for this area of ~200m2 was created using 25mm calibrated, random-sized, Black Limestone paving, with a central Millboard walkway and 100mm Granite Sett paving for the Main Entrance & Drop Kerb to the road.
Following complex structural issues the restoration of the historic stone building that formed the base of the redevelopment, the project was somewhat delayed, but the brewery and their tenants still wanted to aim for the original VIP Opening in November, ahead of the busy Christmas period. As a result, the building contractor needed to finish pointing and complete the paving, ready to open within just 2 days, or the date would have to be postponed. Their research led them to NCC Streetscape, and the decision to use GftK vdw 850plus was primarily made for two important reasons:
Firstly, the contractor needed to install the jointing and complete the paving, in just two days, despite the cold, wet November weather – GftK vdw 850plus was the only solution able to meet this onerous requirement, as it can be applied quickly and easily in wet weather, even in the pouring rain, as happened on the day – No problem with GftK – You can’t use too much water with this unique jointing material!
Secondly, the brewery and their tenants needed a paving jointing material that was tough and fully able to resist exposure to frequent pedestrian traffic, including high heels, plus frequent accidental spillages of food and drinks, as well as being fully resistant to de-icing salts in Winter, and of course, the necessary frequent cleaning to maintain hygiene for alfresco dining, by high pressure jet-washing, daily in the Summer Season – Again GftK vdw 850plus was a ‘No-brainer’ for the job!
The use of GftK vdw 850plus also allowed all 200m2 of the paving jointing works to be prepared, applied, cleaned off, and completed, in less than 3 to 4 hours in the rain! Additionally, the main street entrance and drop-kerb to the Pub is paved in 100 mm granite setts with 25 mm wide joints, which seems crazy, but again, they only had the setts on site, and the job had to be finished, so the contractor spaced them out to fit!! Not ideal – BUT – look at the terrific performance of the GftK vdw 850 in these crazy wide joints, after being fully exposed for 10 years to high pedestrian and regular vehicle traffic for access, delivery and parking, plus de-icing salts daily in winter, and daily jet-wash cleaning in the summer season from May to September.
Now, 10 years later in July 2025, the daily jet-washing continues, and the paving jointing is good to continue for many more years – Now that is a sustainable choice.
NCC Streetscape have also produced a video Case study, which is also a good ‘Proof Statement’ of the GftK vdw 850plus jointing performance and durability, given 10 years of the area in daily use by customers, with frequent events and live music, plus the frequent jet-wash cleaning etc.
On the NCC Streetscape YouTube Channel there is a video short in HD mobile format (portrait) here: https://youtube.com/shorts/oj-EU1SLNMA
Plus, the full 3 minute version, in standard HD format for full screen viewing on Desktops / Laptops, here): https://youtu.be/z-_e0C0P-GU