Case Study: Circolo Popolare, Manchester
Three Flameshield EW120S fire curtains installed as part of a full restaurant fit-out in Manchester city centre.
Introduction
Big Mamma Group is a European restaurant group operating a portfolio of Italian restaurants and pizzerias across the UK, France, Spain, Germany, and beyond. Known for high-impact interior design, large-format dining spaces, and a distinctly theatrical atmosphere, their venues consistently attract significant footfall and operate at scale. When the group brought its Circolo Popolare concept to Manchester, fire safety compliance had to keep pace with an ambitious and detail-driven fit-out.
The Challenge
Fitting out an existing building for high-volume hospitality use presents a distinct set of fire safety requirements. The building needed compliant fire compartmentation to meet current regulations, whilst preserving the visual character of an interior designed to make an impression. For a restaurant group that invests heavily in the look and feel of its spaces, any fire protection solution needed to integrate cleanly into the environment rather than compromise it.
The Solution
A1S Group supplied and installed three Flameshield EW120S fire curtain systems across the site. The Flameshield EW120S is the only UK-manufactured fire curtain system accredited to EW120 and delivers combined fire and smoke performance to BS8524 1&2. When not in use, the systems remain fully concealed within the ceiling void, activating automatically in the event of a fire. This allowed the project team to achieve full compliance without introducing any visible barriers into a carefully considered interior.
The EW120S was the appropriate specification for this type of occupancy: a large, open-plan hospitality environment with a complex layout, high occupant density, and stringent compartmentation requirements. A1S Group managed the full process from survey through to installation and commissioning.
The Outcome
Three Flameshield EW120S systems were successfully installed as part of the completed fit-out. The installation demonstrates A1S Group's ability to deliver compliant fire curtain solutions within demanding commercial fit-out environments, where both performance and discretion are required.
To discuss your project requirements, contact the A1S Group team on 01204 383 839 or info@a1sgroup.com