MOBILE MERCHAIID
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TRADESMEN of all kinds, in particular the Co-operative Society, are nowadays miffing their business on the roads, in order to deal efficiently with the problem occasioned by the increasing dispersal of the population.
Cardiff Co-operative Society has recently constructed a mobile refrigerated butcher's shop based on a Karrier Bantam chassis, with which to serve outlying districts. A shop 11 ft. 6 ins, long and 6 ft. wide, with a .maximum headroom of 6 ft. 2 ins., has been Contained in a body 15 ft. 11 ins, long and 6 ft. 6 ins. wide. Double skins, insulated with hales, are a feature of the bodywork. Behind the driver's seat is a cabinet containing a Sternette M.33 compressor driven by an electric motor drawing current from a series of storage batteries. These are of sufficient capacity to drive the motor for 9-1 hours without excessive discharge.
To maintain the required temperature, a thermostat cuts in at 38 degrees F. and out at 32 degrees F. During a four-hour test without the thermostat, the temperature of the refrigerated cabinet was reduced from 52 degrees F. to 18 degrees F., at which stage the temperature inside the van was 63 degrees F. The insulation alone is capable
restricting the temperature rise. without
he refrigerating unit in opc,ratibn, to an hourly rate of 81 degrees F.
Behind the driver's cab, on the near side, is a door 6 ft. 6 ins high and 2 ft. 4 ins, wide, giving access to the interior. • Opposite this is a 7-cubic-ft. storage cabinet, underneath which is the refrigerating plant Two other storage cabinets of 16 cubic ft. are fitted on each side of the gangway. Apart from storage, they may be used as serving counters and display stands, as they have Triplex glass tops enabling the contents to be inspected without opening the doors. Above each cabinet are two large windows and chromium-plated meat rails.
At the ends of the cabinet are shelves for wrapping paper, skewers and other sundries, the till and a metal-lined drawer for bones and scraps. Above these are fixed the chopping block on the near side with the scales on the off side A large T-shaped opening is formed in the back of the vehicle by lifting a horizontal haft-door to form a canopy, and swinging back the centre panel of the lower half. Attached to the lower door is another counter for use mith the canopy in position.
In and on the bulkhead are fitted a water tank, folding wash basin and roller towel.
The layout, bodywork arid refrigerating system were designed by Mr. G. N. French, transport manager of the Card:ff branch of the C.W.S. Retail Co-operative Society, Ltd.
Knowle and Olton, suburbs • of Birmingham, have been served by mobile grocery shops for some time. Birmingham Co-operative Society. Ltd., has now built and introduced a new and greatly improved shop, in which is expressed much of the concern's experience with this type of vehicle.
An old semi-trailer pantechnicon was modified the wooden sides being panelled with aluminium, and the panelling extended to mask the undercarriage. The fore part was rounded and a clerestory roof added The swinging double rear doors were replaced by Sliding doors, providing a one-way entrance and exit. Folding steps and swinging handrails complete the doorway equipment.
Hardboard panelling. polished aluminium shelving and chromium-plated rails are used in the interior. Lightalloy plates wnich fit into the edges of the shelves and hook over the shelf above, prevent the goods from falling while the vehicle is on the move.
A counter running down the centre of the floor enforces one-way movement on shoppers. I wo smaller counters are provided at each rear corner of the interior. An insulated cabinet keeps frozen foods fresh, and crated mineral • waters are stored in a special cupboard under the front window.
To the left of the entrance door a cupboard contains a wash basin and water supply, a Calor was cylinder feeding a gas fire above: the cupboard door and space for the shop:nan's clothes.
Serving a somewhat different purpose because of the nature of the business concerned, a mobile coal order office has recently been touring new London County Council housing estates. Operated by a large coal company, John Hudson and Co., Ltd., the vehicle is based on a Tilling-Stevens 3-ton battery-electric chassis, which enables office staff to travel 12-15 miles from headquarters to give advice on heating problems and to take customers' orders. The maximum range of the vehicle is 25-30 miles.
Designed by the company in conjunction with the bodybuilder, Barking Garage and Engineering Co., Ltd., Wakering Road, Barking, Essex, the appearance of ihe vehicle is unusual, in that the windows have been built high up in the sides to give good overhead illumination. Alongside _the driver's
seat is the entrance. the exit door being in the extreme rear of the vehicle. In the interior, a large polished oak counter occupies three-quarters ■of the length of the off side.
Interior panelling is in oak-veneered plywood. Stools are provided for the attendants and upholstered seats for waiting customers. A slow-combustion stove is fitted, and the body is doublepanelled and insulated. Ventilators are fitted in the roof and a door in the front bulkhead communicates with the driver's cab. External finish is in bright red and black. The side windows,. which have chromium-plated frames, open.
One essential item of office equipment, the telephone, is not included in the fittings. It would seem that a small receiver transmitter unit would greatly extend the utility of the vehicle, provided, as it is, with a convenient electricity supply.
An example of what can be done to provide a large display space in a Limited area is afforded by an exhibition caravan for Spicers, Ltd., the well-known paper maker and manufacturing stationer. The design was by Sir William Crawford and Partners, Ltd., 233, High Holborn, London, W.C.1, and the work was carried out by Berkeley Coachworks, Ltd., Biggleswade, Luton..
Display counters of mahogany veneer, showcases of glass and sycamore veneer, deep drawers faced with figured oak and sycamore veneer and lined with felt, exhibit the numerous lines of stationery produced by Spicers, Ltd.
Entry to the vehicle is by means of a door at one end of the cam-van, visitors passing through to the exit at the other end, where there is a rest corner with comfortable, upholstered seats and a writing desk.
Fluorescent lighting equipment draws current from the mains. Batteries, which can be charged from the dynamo of the towing vehicle, are provided for use when the mains supply is absent.