Neptunus builds temporary structures for G7 Cornwall Summit

The G7 – ‘Group of Seven’– summit is an annual gathering of leaders from the world’s richest nations. The nations that are part of the G7 have been meeting since the early 1970s. It was the UK’s turn to host the 2021 summit – welcoming the USA, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Japan for the Group’s 47^th convention.

Neptunus is renowned for providing portable buildings for major international events. NATO, the United Nations and other global organisations are among our clients. Here, we were appointed to provide temporary buildings to accommodate the world’s media in attendance at the G7 summit. But this wasn’t the only requirement asked of us.

Carbis Bay is situated on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast. For the summit and the weeks leading up to it, the resort became the focus of world attention. Presidents, Prime Ministers and other senior government figures from each member nation came together to discuss various world issues. It included the economy, climate change challenges, health crises, and aid for poorer nations.

The Brief

Of course, a high-profile summit such as this presents huge logistical and security issues for the host nation. And the 2021 G7 event took place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As such, this meant Neptunus had to provide temporary event structures that would be compatible with all the measures needed to combat the spread of coronavirus – including social distancing rules. It was the most complex summit ever for organisers to plan.

Our modular and relocatable building systems were ideal for the assignment. In addition to the spacious media accommodation, Neptunus also built portable structures to cater for the event’s security needs – as well as the Covid-19 ‘track-and-trace’ testing procedures.

In doing so, we used our portable building expertise to provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone attending. Here’s a look at how we delivered that solution.

The Solution

Neptunus were appointed by Identity Group, the world-leading human experience agency. The agency is responsible for producing events for governments and many of the most prestigious organisations and businesses in the world. We have collaborated with Identity on several successful high-profile projects over the years.

For the 2021 edition of the G7 Summit, we took just 10 days to erect more than 3,500 square metres of sustainable and temporary buildings at two locations. One of these was in Falmouth, while the other was at Treganna Castle in Carbis Bay – the luxurious 5-star hotel where all the world leaders stayed for the summit.

It took a 35-strong team of technicians from Neptunus – including portable structure builders, scaffolders, lift engineers and a site manager.

Falmouth

In Falmouth, an Alu Hall double-deck event structure formed the International Broadcast Centre. Meanwhile, an Alure Globe accommodated the G7 Media Centre; offering facilities for hundreds of members of the Press and photographers.

Our relocatable Apollo structures housed the vital Covid-19 Track and Trace test facility, with a further Alu Hall creating a temporary home for the security check-in and police base.

Treganna Castle

Tregenna Castle is a 45-minute drive from Falmouth. Here, the Neptunus team built two large temporary venues for Press Briefings. Alu Halls were also erected to create elevated positions for broadcast cameramen. It allowed them to capture images that would be beamed to billions of viewers around the world via television and online.

Each of the portable structures installed had to feature disability-compliant steps and ramps – as well as an accessible lift. Scaffold platforms for raised camera positions were also required.

The Challenge

Neptunus were selected for the assignment due to our reputation for delivering high-quality, state-of-the-art temporary structures for events. We have also developed a superb working relationship with client, Identity Group, over many years.

The G7 gathering was the largest event ever held in Cornwall. As such, it required one of the biggest security operations on land and sea ever mounted in the UK. All equipment had to be moved onto site amid the tightest security. And all Neptunus team members had to be tested regularly for coronavirus.

For the Tregenna Castle build, all equipment had to be sent to a holding area that was located 45 minutes away from the site. Here, the police would search it before placing it all into the quarantine area for cross-loading onto smaller vehicles. This was due to the restricted access at the hotel. The vehicles were then sent to the site in a strict order to meet tight timelines as part of a meticulous logistical plan.

The magnificent Atlantic views were a key backdrop to the G7 Summit. So, Neptunus’ design team also had the challenge of siting portable structures where the media could get the best film and photographs to emphasise the stunning beauty of the location.

Neptunus’ technicians took just seven days to build the facilities in Falmouth. It took just four days to erect the reusable, temporary structures at Tregenna Castle too. This was despite the huge security operation and coronavirus stipulations that needed to be worked around.

The Verdict

David Naylor, Senior Production Manager at Identity, says: “We were pleased to work with Neptunus again on this high-profile event. Ben (Keast – Managing Director) and their wider team’s flexibility and solution-based mindset, coupled with their wide range of structures available, allowed the dynamic project requirements to be regularly adjusted to give us the platform to deliver an incredible event and showcase the UK’s ability to deliver first-class events.”

Images: ©Susie Excell