Aiming to improve accessibility throughout, the Mill Gate shopping centre in Bury is in the process of replacing many of the automatic entrances with technologically advanced TORMAX operators, improving functionality and standardising systems.

A recent installation, for example, was at the carpark corridor entrance where a TORMAX Windrive 2201 sliding door drive has been retrofitted to the existing doors. Incorporating a break-out function that increases the opening width, the door is now fully compliant with fire evacuation legislation, with the added benefit that maintenance and repair vehicles or machinery can be easily manoeuvred into and out of the building.

Delivering exceptional reliability, the Windrive 2201 operator is capable of driving a single door leaf of up to 120kg or a double set of doors weighing up to 100kg per leaf. Tested to considerably over the required industry standard of one million cycles, Windrive operators can be found installed in demanding locations throughout the world.

With the long-term future of the Mill Gate shopping centre secured when Bury Council took over ownership early in 2022, a programme of re-development and improvement has been initiated, including the development of new shops, attractions and indoor street markets.

At the time that the Council took over management of the shopping centre, TORMAX had already started replacing existing entrances with their automatic door drives, and this work continues today.

In addition, Mill Gate has a Planned Maintenance Contract (PMC) with TORMAX, ensuring all entrances are regularly serviced, minimising unexpected down-time and improving life expectancy of the units.

“A PMC is a cost-effective option, especially on sites where multiple automatic entrances are located and which are key to the smooth running of the facility,” said Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX UK.

“Our team of in-house trained professional engineers operate a UK-wide network of emergency call out and ongoing maintenance programmes. Specialists in automatic door technology, the team is qualified to service and repair almost any system and with the back-up of a well-stocked van, many problems can be rectified immediately.”