Fortnum and Mason take premium deliveries on the road with bespoke CoolKit refrigerated EV

World-renowned retailer, Fortnum and Mason has partnered with temperature-controlled and refrigerated vehicle specialist CoolKit, to develop a new van conversion.

The new van conversion will support its order-to-door premium goods delivery service, operating across central London.

With sustainability integral to its Future Matters strategy, Fortnum and Mason faced a unique challenge.

The retailer required a temperature-controlled delivery vehicle capable of efficiently navigating London’s streets and buildings – where vehicle height restrictions are common – while also prioritising environmental performance.

Blackburn-based CoolKit responded with a bespoke refrigerated fully electric van, developed in collaboration with FordPro.

The vehicle features a pioneering under-slung refrigeration system, discreetly mounted beneath the Ford E-Transit Custom.

This innovative design removes the need for bulky roof units or visible condensers, maximising internal load space while preserving the iconic retailer’s refined and unmistakable visual identity.

 Purpose-built to navigate tight urban environments, the van now enables Fortnum’s doorstep deliveries of premium items including luxury hampers and rare spirits, without compromising on performance, aesthetics or emissions.

Unveiled at the Commercial Vehicle Show, the van – which is fully wrapped in Fortnum and Mason’s distinctive brand colours – has featured at key brand activities over the summer, including Goodwoof and Royal Ascot, serving up a selection of its fine goods.

The design process was not without challenges. Early plans for a larger, long-wheelbase van were ruled out due to physical and charging restrictions. Despite the technical complexity and evolving brief, FordPro Convertor CoolKit completed the initial design concept to full conversion, within five months.

Gordon Clark, logistics lead at Fortnum and Mason, said: “What you think you want at the start isn't always what you actually need.

"CoolKit helped us explore what the best outcomes for us would be and delivered something remarkable - not just for Fortnum and Mason, but potentially for city logistics across the board.”

Cameron Javed, head of fleet sales at CoolKit, added: “We were delighted to get the opportunity to push the boundaries of EV conversions for such a historic brand.

“CoolKit is always looking for ways to innovate and provide tailored solutions for our customers, so to bring this concept to life with the iconic Fortnum & Mason branding on the van is really satisfying.”

Established in the UK in 2005, CoolKit is widely recognised by fleet operators, fleet funders, OEMs and motor dealers as the largest provider of temperature-controlled and refrigerated light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and related equipment and services.

The news comes after Lancashire Business View reported CoolKit had seen a substantial increase in its output of van conversions and insulated bodywork, following a year of transformative investments across its manufacturing and assembly sites.

The business has achieved remarkable increases in both output and efficiency, investing over £2m into its Lancashire facilities.

It includes an 800 per cent year-on-year uplift in box body production and an 80 per cent rise in light commercial vehicle conversions, reaching a record 125 conversions per month.