Commercial RefrigerationInstall, Service & RepairAcross Manchester
Cold rooms, blast chillers and display fridges that hold spec 24/7 - protecting your stock, your EHO rating and the trade you'd lose to a single temperature alarm.
Commercial Refrigeration - what it is, who it's for and when you need it
What it is
Commercial refrigeration is the design, installation, servicing and repair of all refrigeration equipment used in food, drink, hospitality, retail and healthcare - from a single display cabinet to a multi-room cold storage facility.
Who it's for
Restaurants, butchers, fishmongers, supermarkets, dark kitchens, hotels, care homes, hospitals, pharmacies, florists and food manufacturers across Greater Manchester.
When you need it
When you're fitting out a new kitchen or shop, when temperatures drift, when an EHO inspection flags a fault, or when a single piece of equipment fails and threatens stock or compliance.
Why professional help matters
Refrigeration is the most safety-critical system you own. A 4-hour failure can mean total stock loss, a closed kitchen and a downgraded EHO rating. Properly designed and maintained systems prevent all of that.
What happens when this is ignored - and the mistakes that make it worse
If left unaddressed
- EHO temperature breaches lead to a forced clear-out of stock and a downgrade from 5 stars to 2 - visible to every customer on Google
- A failed walk-in cold room over a weekend can write off £2,000–£8,000 of stock and force closure
- Refrigerant leaks above 5 tonnes CO₂e attract HMRC F-Gas penalties of up to £200,000
- Compressor failure caused by skipped servicing typically costs 3–4x the price of the missed services
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying second-hand commercial fridges with no service history - usually 12 months from compressor failure
- Squeezing cold rooms into spaces with no airflow clearance - units overheat and short-cycle
- Ignoring door seals - gaps drive 30%+ extra running cost and constant compressor load
- Skipping HACCP temperature logging - fails first audit, every audit
A clear 5-step system - no surprises, no guesswork
- Step 1
Survey & Specification
We assess your stock turnover, ambient conditions, electrical supply and EHO requirements, then spec equipment that meets your load with proper headroom.
- Step 2
Design & Quote
Layout drawings, equipment schedule and fixed-price quote - including any builder's work, electrical and drainage.
- Step 3
Installation
Cold rooms, condensers, evaporators, controls, drains and alarms installed to manufacturer and DW172 standards.
- Step 4
Commissioning & HACCP
Pull-down tested, temperature stability logged for 24+ hours, alarms set, and HACCP documentation handed over.
- Step 5
Service Plan
6-monthly servicing, 24/7 emergency cover, F-Gas logbook maintenance and discounted spares - all on a fixed annual fee.
The specific outcomes you can expect
Stock protection
Designed systems hold ±0.5°C of set-point even during peak service or stock loading.
EHO compliance
Temperature logging, calibration certificates and service records ready for every audit.
Lower running costs
Modern EC fan motors and inverter compressors use 30–45% less electricity than units over 10 years old.
24/7 emergency cover
Service-plan customers get 2-hour response across the North West, day or night.
Full F-Gas compliance
Logbook maintenance, leak checks and HMRC-aligned record keeping - no surprises at audit.
One contractor for the lot
From the first survey to the 10-year service plan - one team, one number, one invoice.
Every variation of commercial refrigeration we deliver
We cover every type of commercial refrigeration installed and serviced in the UK:
Walk-in cold rooms
Bespoke insulated panel cold rooms from 4 m² up. Standard chillers 0–4°C, freezers –18 to –22°C, dual-temperature where needed.
Blast chillers & freezers
Rapid cool from 90°C to 3°C in under 90 minutes - required under HACCP for cooked food. Fitted in kitchens across Manchester restaurants.
Display refrigeration
Open multi-decks, glass-fronted, serve-over counters, drinks coolers and ice cream cabinets for retail, deli and hospitality.
Under-counter & prep units
Saladettes, prep counters and pizza prep units for restaurants and dark kitchens.
Pharmaceutical & lab refrigeration
Vaccine and medication storage with calibrated logging and battery-backed alarms to MHRA standards.
Remote pack systems
Multiple cabinets served from a single outdoor pack - cuts kitchen heat, noise and total energy use across supermarkets and large kitchens.
Answers to the questions Manchester customers ask most
How much does a walk-in cold room cost?+
A typical 6 m² walk-in chiller installed costs £6,500–£11,000 depending on access, electrical and finishes. Larger and bespoke rooms quoted on survey.
How quickly can you respond to a refrigeration emergency?+
Service-plan customers: 2 hours, 24/7. Non-contract: typically same-day during business hours, next morning at night.
What temperatures should commercial fridges hold?+
Chillers: 1–4°C. Freezers: –18°C or colder. Display cabinets typically 0–5°C depending on product. We calibrate every install to EHO targets.
How often should commercial refrigeration be serviced?+
Every 6 months as a minimum, every 3 months for heavily loaded or EHO-critical equipment. Both options available on our service plans.
Do you provide F-Gas logbooks?+
Yes - required by law for any system over 5 tonnes CO₂e. We maintain digital logbooks for all service-plan customers.
Can you replace a single failed cabinet without disrupting the kitchen?+
Yes - we work outside service hours, supply temporary cooling if needed, and swap units cleanly with no closure required.
Do you service equipment you didn't install?+
Yes - all major brands: Foster, Williams, Gram, Hubbard, J&E Hall, Adande, Polar and more.
Are you HACCP-aware?+
Yes. Our service reports include calibrated probe temperatures, set-point verification and any corrective actions - sufficient for HACCP and EHO records.
Often paired with commercial refrigeration
Get a fixed-price quote for commercial refrigeration in Manchester - within 48 hours
Free on-site survey · Fixed-price quote · No pushy sales. Talk to an F-Gas engineer today and get a clear plan for your property.