Hopetown Darlington

In preparation for Darlington Hopetown Museum’s reopening, we supplied two converted 20ft New (One Trip) Shipping Containers for the outdoor play park area. One was renovated into a hospitality unit and the other was transformed into a fully refurbished WC container. 

The units are a real asset to Hopetown. Visually they complement the look and feel of the visitor attraction, giving off the real Hometown vibe. The Kiosk is very popular with customers purchasing ice cream and drinks.

Josh Parker, Marketing and Communications Officer at Darlington Borough Council 

The converted hospitality container was designed with both functionality and style in mind. Internally, it featured a Grafo-Therm treatment to prevent condensation and a sleek gloss white paint finish, providing a clean and modern look. The flooring was finished with durable Black Walnut polysafe standard PU vinyl, and the unit was fully equipped with essential electrics, including LED and pendant lights. We added everything needed for a top-tier hospitality experience, including a hand wash sink and menu boards.

The hospitality kiosk served a range of hot and cold food and beverages, including Darlington Railway Museum’s exclusive Black Diamond ice cream.

I worked on the project for over a year from generating ideas to producing multiple renders and tweaks along the way. The little details of lighting and cladding created a homely feeling and a rustic appeal.

Working closely with the client, I had to make changes throughout the process such as adjusting the size of the ice cream machine and relocating the electrical sockets. I made sure the electrical layout was symmetrical and that all data points remained accessible to ensure a perfect end result.

Charlotte Dawson, CAD Engineer at Cleveland

The converted WC container unit was equipped with all the essentials needed for a functional restroom. Internally, it features a hand dryer, paper towel and hand soap dispensers, toilets, sinks, coat hooks, and mirrors. The internal walls were repainted and the ceiling was also sprayed with Grafo-Therm. The same flooring as the hospitality unit was installed in this unit to reduce the likelihood of slips occuring. Both units were externally resprayed in Jet Black (RAL 9005), with timber cladding for a modern finish. 

Here at Cleveland Containers, we can modify containers to create custom units for any business based on their specific requirements. If you are interested in this particular container conversion or think a conversion would benefit your business, please enquire below.