intu is one of the UK’s largest retail destination brands, operating 18 shopping centres across the country as well as a location in Spain.
Located in the centre of Norwich, Chapelfield is one of intu’s major city centre developments. Opened in 2005 on the former Rowntree Mackintosh chocolate factory site, the centre extends across five floors, including two basement car parks, and accommodates 80 shops alongside 17 cafes and restaurants.
Management, operational staff and security teams had relied on two way radios for many years to communicate throughout the centre. However, the existing Kenwood analogue radios were beginning to show their limitations. Coverage could be inconsistent, with signal drop outs and missed calls creating communication problems across the large multi-level site.
When the system was due for replacement, intu invited suppliers to tender for an upgraded radio network capable of delivering dependable coverage throughout Chapelfield. Following detailed site visits and a proposal designed around the building’s specific coverage requirements, MTech was awarded the contract.
Reliable Coverage Across a Complex Site
Providing consistent communication across the entire shopping centre was the main priority.
Chapelfield’s five floors, two basement car parks and extensive concrete construction created a challenging environment for radio signals. The existing analogue equipment struggled to provide dependable coverage in some areas, making it more difficult for teams to coordinate everyday activity and respond quickly when security incidents occurred.
Moving from Analogue to Digital
MTech recommended upgrading the site from analogue to digital two way radios to improve coverage, reception and audio clarity.
To provide communication throughout the building, two high power Motorola SLR8000 repeaters were installed alongside multiple antennas positioned across key areas of the shopping centre. More than one kilometre of cabling was used to connect the infrastructure and create reliable coverage across the site.
The repeaters were connected to a Motorola TRBOnet PC server, providing a central point for managing the radio network. Capacity Plus software was also introduced to manage radio traffic and channel availability, helping calls get through even when the system is being heavily used.
Radios Selected for Different Teams
Three Motorola radio models were supplied to meet the different requirements of employees working throughout Chapelfield.
Motorola SL4000 radios provide management teams with a compact and lightweight option, combining digital functionality with a discreet design suitable for employees regularly moving around customer facing areas.
Motorola DP4601e radios were supplied to security teams. The robust handsets include a display, GPS tracking, an Emergency Button and Lone Worker functionality, providing additional features to support employees responsible for security across the centre.
Motorola DP4401e radios were issued to other operational teams. Offering similar durability to the DP4601e but without a display, they also include an Emergency Button so employees can quickly raise an alert when assistance is required.
By selecting equipment around each team’s responsibilities, Chapelfield gained a radio system that combines reliable site-wide communication with the durability, functionality and straightforward operation required for a busy retail environment.
