How to Ensure Your Kiosk Design Passes Bluewater Mall (Landsec) Approval
Securing a kiosk spot in a premier shopping centre like Bluewater Mall, managed by Landsec, is a fantastic opportunity. However, the design approval process can be stringent. Landsec’s Kiosk Design Guide is comprehensive, and understanding its key mandates is the first step to a successful installation.
This article distills the essential technical and design requirements from Landsec’s guide, giving you a clear checklist to work from. Partnering with an experienced manufacturer like M2Display, who understands these specifications intimately, can transform this compliance journey into a creative triumph.
▶ Layout & Form: Mastering the 360° View
Your kiosk is a freestanding island, not a shop. Its design must be compelling from every angle.
Key Approval Requirements:
- 360° Design:The entire kiosk should be treated as a shopfront.
- Customer Journey:Design for engagement at 10m (attract), 3m (showcase), and 1m (interact).
- Queue Management:Identify and manage queue areas without impacting mall circulation or fire escape routes.
- Accessibility:Comply with the latest Equality Act and Building Regulations Part M from the outset.
- Modular Integration:While modular construction is expected, the final unit must appear seamless with no visible joints.
- Strict Prohibitions:
- No elements projecting outside your demise area.
- No queuing tenser barriers or on-the-shelf units without explicit permission.
- All floor corners must be protected to prevent trip hazards.
▶ Sightlines & Height Restrictions: The Non-Negotiables
Maintaining clear sightlines for surrounding tenants and mall safety is paramount for Landsec.
Key Approval Requirements:
- General Height Limit:The overall kiosk height must not exceed 1300mm in central mall locations.
- Back-Wall Kiosks:May be granted more flexibility on a case-by-case basis.
- Product & Display Height:All products must sit below 1500mm. No more than 50% of design elements should reach this maximum height.
- Counter Heights:
- Service Counters: 950mm – 1100mm
- DDA Counters: 750mm
- Ceilings & Canopies:Ceilings are not permitted. Perforated canopies may be allowed if integrated into the design and approved.
- Totem Exception:A totem is permitted to breach the 1300mm height limit (see below).
▶ Totem & Signage: Your Brand Beacon
Your totem is your primary identifier. Its design is critically reviewed.
Key Approval Requirements:
- Totem Dimensions:Work within 2100mm (H) x 800mm (W) x 200mm (D).
- Signage Specs:Must feature front-faced, illuminated 3D signage on both sides with a letter depth of 20-100mm.
- Integration:The totem must be fully integrated into the kiosk’s design and face the main footfall traffic.
- Quantity:One totem OR one high-level signage on a slim framework per kiosk—not both.
- Strict Prohibitions:
- No freestanding totems or fixing to the mall floor.
- No website addresses, social media handles, or third-party branding on the totem.
- Flat finishes like powder-coated aluminium are not permitted as a primary finish.
- No projecting signs, box signs, or neon. Faux LED neon is allowed.
- No menu boards, price lists, or product advertising as add-ons; they must be seamlessly integrated.
▶ Materials & Finishes: Durability and Sustainability
Materials must be robust, high-quality, and align with Landsec’s sustainability goals.
Key Approval Requirements:
- Fire Safety:All materials must be non-combustible, equivalent to Grade A (1-2) Spread of Flame.
- Sustainability:Use recycled, recyclable, and sustainably sourced materials where possible. Consider the kiosk’s end-of-life repurposing or recycling.
- Quality & Cleanability:Finishes should be factory-applied. Avoid porous, hand-painted, or stained surfaces.
- Strict Prohibitions:
- No materials that can rust or degrade.
- No thermoplastic tiling, linoleum, or vinyl sheet (except in staff areas).
- No non-toughened glass.
▶ Lighting & Technology: Integrated and Subtle
Lighting and tech should enhance the experience without creating clutter or distraction.
Key Approval Requirements:
- Lighting Type:All lighting must be low-energy LED.
- Design:Use a mix of light sources creatively. Avoid glare. LED strip lights must have diffusers.
- Technology:Screens must be fully integrated, recessed, and frameless. Content must be professional and slow-changing.
- Strict Prohibitions:
- No strobe, spinner, flashing, or chase lighting.
- No exposed cables, extension leads, or domestic lighting.
- No music systems.
- No customer data collection without GDPR compliance.
▶ Food & Beverage & Seating: Additional Layers of Compliance
F&B kiosks face additional scrutiny regarding equipment, waste, and customer flow.
Key Approval Requirements:
- Equipment Integration:All catering equipment must be integrated into counters and kept discreet.
- Ventilation & Waste:Equipment must be suitable for enclosed centres. Grease traps and self-contained waste water systems may be required. Discuss requirements early with the approval team.
- Seating:All seating must be within your demise. Loose furniture may need to be fixed to your kiosk or flooring to prevent obstruction. Fabric must meet fire resistancy requirements.
- Strict Prohibitions:
- No exposed rear counter machinery.
- No stand-alone refrigerated displays; they must be fully integrated.
- No queuing or waiting in the main customer flow.
- No canvas balustrades to contain seating areas.
☑ Your Path to Approval: Partner with Experts
Landsec’s final approval is discretionary. They encourage innovation but insist on compliance. The most successful applications balance breathtaking creativity with meticulous attention to technical detail.
This is where M2Display adds unparalleled value. We don’t just build kiosks; we navigate the entire approval process with you. Our team is fluent in the requirements of Landsec and other major landlords. We help you:
- Interpret Guidelines:Translate complex rules into actionable design decisions.
- Design for Compliance & Impact:We create stunning, brand-forward kiosks that are built to pass technical review on the first submission.
- Manage the Submission:We prepare all necessary documentation, from material specs to access statements, ensuring a smooth and swift approval process.
Don’t let the complexity of design guidelines stifle your brand’s potential. Let M2Display be your guide to creating a kiosk that not only wins approval but also wins customers.
Ready to design a kiosk that excels in both form and function?
Contact M2 Display today for a consultation. We’ll help you ensure your Bluewater Mall kiosk is a resounding success.