Critical Extract System Recovery – Trinity Leeds

The Challenge

In June 2025, TDC received an urgent call from the CBRE Helpdesk reporting a total failure of the main extract system serving all restaurant kitchens at Trinity Leeds, forcing the immediate closure of every food outlet in the centre. Two engineers and the account manager were on site within four hours, where they found that both extract fans had failed completely — motors burnt out, shafts and internal components seized. Replacement fans were already on order but not due until the end of July, roughly six weeks away.

Our Response

With no immediate repair possible, TDC worked with the fan manufacturer, based two hours away, to source key components and a motor from the new fans still in production. A team collected the parts the next day and delivered them straight to site. Moving the fan parts and motor — around 500kg in total — up to the roof plant area required specialist lifting equipment, which TDC also delivered, while mobilising additional engineers to assist. Installation began the moment the parts arrived: one motor was replaced by around 20:00hrs, with internal components and operational checks completed by 22:00hrs.

The Result

By 22:30hrs, one fan was fully operational, restoring extract services and allowing all restaurant kitchens to reopen the following day. TDC returned in July to complete the second fan as a full replacement via a planned crane lift; the system has run reliably ever since — a critical failure resolved within 24 hours through close collaboration between TDC and CBRE.