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Project Overview
Client
Harley Davidson
Location
London
Date Complete
2025
Sector
Retail
Background
Located on London’s world famous King’s Road, the Harley‑Davidson dealership is a landmark site with exceptional historical significance. Founded in 1924 by Captain Frederick James Warr, the dealership is recognised as Europe’s oldest Harley‑Davidson sales outlet, making it a cornerstone of both British motorcycling heritage and the global Harley‑Davidson brand.
Captain Warr was instrumental in introducing Harley‑Davidson motorcycles to the UK and Europe following service in the First World War. Over the ensuing decades, the dealership became synonymous with freedom, individuality, and engineering excellence, values that remain central to the Harley‑Davidson brand today. The site has weathered economic change, cultural shifts, and urban redevelopment, while retaining its status as an iconic destination for riders and enthusiasts alike.
In 2024, the dealership marked its 100 year anniversary, celebrating a century of continuous operation on King’s Road. As part of a wider programme of investment and site improvements, the client sought to enhance perimeter security while preserving the character, openness, and brand presence that defines the dealership frontage.
Challenge
As a high value retail environment displaying premium motorcycles, the dealership required a security solution that would offer robust protection against unauthorised access, theft, and vandalism outside of trading hours. At the same time, the streetscape location demanded a design that respected the heritage of the building and the visual impact of the King’s Road setting.
The client required a solution that would maintain sight lines, support natural surveillance and reinforce a premium aesthetic.
The access opening measured 3.5 metres wide, with a requirement for a 2 metre high gate capable of providing safe and secure vehicle access without compromising ease of use. Reliability was a particular concern, as the site needed dependable daily operation without the risk of automated system failure or excessive maintenance.
Any new installation also needed to deliver long‑term durability, with finishes capable of withstanding London’s urban environment, pollution, and high levels of public exposure, while remaining visually consistent with Harley‑Davidson’s bold, industrial identity.
Challenge
Jacksons supplied and installed a bespoke single leaf vertical bar security gate, designed to meet the site’s security requirements while respecting its historic and cultural importance. The solution formed part of Jacksons’ proven range of security gates and vertical bar gates, engineered for strength, longevity, and visual clarity.
The Barbican® vertical bar gate was manufactured to span the full 3.5 metre opening, providing controlled vehicle access while delivering a physical barrier when closed. At 2 metres in height, the gate offered effective deterrence against climbing, without creating an enclosed or oppressive appearance.
Manual operation was selected to align with the client’s priorities for reliability and simplicity. Manual security gates provide consistent performance, remove dependence on power supplies or control systems, and significantly reduce ongoing maintenance requirements. This approach also reflected the mechanical ethos of the Harley‑Davidson brand, where robust engineering and functional design are central values.
Construction utilised a tubular welded pale‑through‑rail design, a hallmark of Jacksons’ steel vertical bar security gates. Each vertical bar was welded through the horizontal rails, forming a continuous and highly resistant structure. This method prevents individual pales from being removed or compromised and distributes impact loads across the frame, enhancing overall security performance.
To ensure long‑term protection, the gate was hot dip galvanised prior to finishing. This process provides a robust coating, delivering outstanding resistance to corrosion and environmental degradation. Following galvanisation, the gate was powder coated black to achieve a durable, high quality finish that complements the dealership’s façade and reinforces its premium appearance.
Fixings, hinges, and locking points were specified to suit the gate’s size and weight, ensuring smooth operation and a secure closed position. The completed gate installation integrates seamlessly with the surrounding architecture, enhancing security while remaining visually unobtrusive during trading hours.
The finished vertical bar gate delivers a secure, dependable, and visually appropriate solution for one of London’s most recognisable motorcycle dealerships. By selecting a bespoke manual gate with high quality construction and finishes, the client achieved a security upgrade that supports both operational needs and brand presentation.
The project demonstrates how security gates and vertical bar gates can be used effectively in sensitive, high profile locations, providing essential protection without compromising heritage or aesthetic appeal. As the dealership moves forward into its second century on King’s Road, the new gate, with its 25 year Service Life Guarantee stands as a durable and fitting addition that reflects Harley‑Davidson’s legacy of strength, craftsmanship and enduring design.
Products Used
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