HALF MOON
FOUNDRY
IN CONVERSATION
FOCUS ON...
A contemporary design scheme to rival the best boutique hotels
“The happiest place in Harrogate”
with Jayson Perfect, Managing Director of Pubs & Inns, Liberation Group
Chairs from Revivalist, the vintage & homeware furnishing professionals
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Autumn/Winter 2017
The ConcordeTimes CONCORDE BGW brings you the latest design and build news
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Yummy Yorkshire Yummy Yorkshire is a working farm and family-run cafe found in the heart of the Pennines that’s been serving up artisanal ice cream since 2007. — Delph House Farm, Denby Dale, Huddersfield HD8 8XY
Yummy Yorkshire first approached Concorde BGW when they were looking for furniture for a new ice-cream parlour but as the project got off the ground, the owners also commissioned us to do something larger in scope. The owners wanted help with transforming the farm’s modest café into the Hide & Hoof restaurant: a lively, all-day bistro serving meals prepared with fresh ingredients from farms and local businesses. We were tasked with developing the new restaurant’s decor from scratch, selecting the perfect artwork, choosing the flooring and designing a brand new bar. Working closely with the client, we crafted a look that celebrates the farm’s charm and long family history, which goes
back generations. Natural woods in a variety of textures and comfy ‘stable style’ booth seating creates a relaxed, farmyard feel while features like milk churns are a nod to the farm’s amazing dairy produce. A sliding barn door separating the ice cream parlour from the restaurant adds to the rustic feel. After discovering old milk bottles the owners’ father had used to supply milk produced on the farm to the local villages, we re-purposed them to capture the farms history and create stunning pendant lights that hang from the ceiling – a real talking point. Carrying on the dairy theme, we enlisted an artist to create bespoke artwork such as the
show-stopping digitally printed cows on tiles behind the ice-cream counter creating brand identity. Overall, the revamp has allowed the space to hold 120 covers – up from 40 when it was just a cafe – and become a space for the entire family to enjoy ice-cream and lite bites, as well as a destination for lunch, dinner or drinks during the evening too. And while the interior décor’s been successfully completed, Concorde BGW is working on the bistro’s exterior – so watch this space.
yummyyorkshire.co.uk
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It’s clear a great deal of thought, attention to detail and several million pounds have gone into the revamp and the addition of 12 bedrooms
The Guardian
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The Half Moon — 10 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London SE24 9HU
The acquisition of this well-known pub offered both Concorde BGW and Fullers an amazing opportunity to restore a famous Victorian gem. Concorde BGW have successfully combined modernising one of London’s oldest pubs with celebrating its heritage to create South London’s coolest new hang out. The Half Moon is now a place for the locals to wine, dine and relax and is also a spot on the map for travellers with a design scheme that successfully celebrates the multiple histories of the sites existence. The 12 en-suite bedrooms feature stunning House of Hackney wallpaper, an eclectic mix of reclaimed and antique furniture, Roberts radio’s and bespoke Lunar themed lights (a recurring theme across the pub). The brand new state of the art kitchen is complimented by a completely transformed restaurant that has a sense of bohemian decadence fused with a beautiful
A contemporary design scheme to rival some of the best boutique hotels in the city.
The Evening Standard
orangery. This sits behind a sympathetically refurbished main bar restored to its former glory with the original stained-glass windows, woodwork and painted mirrors brought back to pristine condition playing homage to the pub’s location and rich heritage. Fuller’s Inns Managing Director Jonathon Swaine said: “The Half Moon has set a new standard, not just in Fuller’s – but for the wider industry, in how to sympathetically refurbish a historic pub. The Half Moon has a history and heritage that deserves to be recognised and respected – and I truly believe we have succeeded in doing that” halfmoonhernehill.co.uk
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My job… — Every issue we talk to one of our team to share an insight into their passion for design and role within Concorde BGW.
Concorde have delivered for us. In truth, we were in a very tight spot and they delivered something way beyond our expectations – It’s stunning! We are planning further projects . I can’t recommend them enough as a business to work with
Brooke Carden
Lee Bramzell, Shepard Cox owner
Senior Designer Meet Brooke Carden, Senior Designer (and the newest member of the team, having joined three months ago). Hailing from down under, Brooke opens up about where she finds design inspiration and teases some of the projects she’s been working on since joining the company. Q Can you tell us about your role at Concorde BGW? A I’m a Senior Designer based at the London office, working on a range of sites from the design stage right through to the build and execution. Q Have you always wanted to be a designer? A Pretty much. Growing up, my dad had a decorating business and I was always moving furniture around my room and painting it. So at 13 years old, when a careers advisor mentioned interior design as a path for me, a lightbulb went off and I haven’t looked back since. Q What’s different about Concorde BGW to other companies you’ve worked for? A The fact that it offers both design and build services is what makes it stand apart. It’s allowed me to think differently about how I approach projects and make the overall process faster and more efficient. Q Where do you look to for inspiration? A It may be a somewhat obvious pick but I’m still in love with The Ned, the hotel and members’ club on Poultry Street here in London. I think the way it’s made such amazing use of what is a very grand, spacious building is really inspiring. The fact that the building houses so many different elements, each with their own identities, is also a great example of how to take a singular concept down many paths to form a cohesive overall design. I’m also drawing inspiration from a bunch of Australia-based agencies that are doing some beautiful work. When I left Australia eight years ago, the design scene wasn’t very progressive. But in the last few years, IT has come into its own and companies like Grind & Co. are using Aussie agencies to bring the their aesthetic to this side of the world. So I’m keeping my eye on those. Q What project stands out as being the most exciting in your career to date? A A while back I worked with some new clients from Canada to bring their idea for healthy fried chicken to London. Their restaurant is called Bird and it was an amazing experience to take that brand from a seed of an idea into a fully realised space in Shoreditch. They’ve since opened three more restaurants using our original design concept and it’s been great to see them go from strength to strength over the last few years. Q Can you give us glimpse into some of the projects you’re working on at Concorde BGW? A At the moment, my time is focussed on The Signal Box at Euston, the White Hart in Godstone and The Mitre in Oxford. I’m also working through a scheme for a PDR at The Sands End with Guy. I’ve been so lucky to have had such a great range of projects in such a short time, which has enabled me to work with a LOT of lovely people within Concorde BGW.
Hallgarth Manor — Hallgarth Manor, Pittington, Durham DH6 1AB
Hallgarth Manor is a charming hotel situated 3 miles oustide of Durham. Formerly a private country estate, the manor is now a stunning 23 bedroom hotel and wedding venue. Concorde BGW were bought in to develop the concept for both the rooms and general areas on an extremely tight timescale after problems with the previous design team. With 23 rooms and all the public areas to design, specify and deliver in six weeks, this was a challenge of the highest order. hallgarthmanorhotel.co.uk
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Described as “the happiest place in Harrogate,” the Foundry Project provides a contrast of soft sheen metallic against reclaimed materials to give the scheme an industrial luxe feel with a bohemian atmosphere”
Premium Hospitality News
The Foundry Project: Harrogate Designed by Concorde BGW, the 2,638-square foot, 174 cover site (150 indoor, 24 outdoor) provides Harrogate with a unique, all-day bar offering. — 1-1A The Ginnel, Harrogate, HG1 2RB
The design scheme emulates the foundry factory aesthetic through industrial inspired décor, with walls featuring a mix of distressed timber and aged metal wall cladding, and a dark colour palette throughout. The project has been defined at ‘the happiest place in Harrogate” with its industrial Luxe feel and bohemian atmosphere. Both the raised dining space and lower bar feature hanging lights, metallic mesh panelling and exposed copper beams. Seating includes banquettes, Chesterfield-style sofas and traditional dining settings on both levels. foundryprojectharrogate.com
The large charred timber bar which runs the full width of the lower floor, showcases its ales with three large copper tanks being the main feature, alongside bespoke fonts with a distressed metal finish. Feature white hexagonal tiles to the rear contrast against the copper and dark timber elements and hand-painted, pastel coloured tiles embellish the front of the bar adding a feminine touch. Foundry Project has evolved from the opening of Foundry 39 in Edinburgh in 2016. Also designed by Concorde BGW.
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The Methuen Arms has had a beautiful facelift to make it more welcoming to locals and visitors alike. Gone are the red rooms and in is an altogether lighter colour scheme, along with new soft upholstery and furnishings to create a cosy feel.
The Methuen Arms —
2 High St, Corsham SN13 0HB
Concorde BGW has created a picturesque new garden area and introduced a new lounge space for hotel guests to spend time in, which comes with bespoke seating and botanical artwork. Locals who aren’t staying overnight can while away the hours in the newly revamped bar.
It was also important from the start that we created a destination that could act as a home away from home for both guests and locals – the pub is the cornerstone of any village, after all. The final result is lighter, airier and altogether more welcoming for everyone.”
Butcombe Brewery and Concorde BGW were keen to pay respect to the Methuen Arms’ history and previous life as a coaching inn with stabling for 40 horses. The building’s exposed stone walls and age-old timber beams can be found across the site and form the basis for the country aesthetic that’s been maintained throughout. During the decorating process, Concorde BGW uncovered some hidden parquet timber flooring, which it has now restored.
The Methuen Arms restaurant has also been redesigned to be a place where people want to linger and enjoy views over the new garden and “scullery” function room perfect for private dinners. The exposed stone walls and beams create a rustic, laid back vibe.
Speaking about the renovations, Jayson Perfect, Managing Director at Butcombe Brewery, said: “The Methuen Arms was a fascinating project because the space was steeped in history and had so much potential, but it needed to be unlocked. The more we looked the more gems we found, like the hidden parquet timber flooring.
With its stunning new look, The Methuen Arms is now Butcombe Brewery’s flag ship inn and plans don’t end there. The Methuen Arms has recently acquired planning permission to restore the stables into five new hotel bedrooms and the old barn for private hire.
themethuenarms.com
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In conversation with…
Jayson Perfect Managing Director Pubs & Inn Liberation Group Q You’ve worked for some of the UK’s top breweries. What was it about Butcombe that enticed you to make the move? A You’re right, and every brewery has offered a different experience and learning each time. The move to Liberation Group was an opportunity to apply all of these learnings, along with my excitement for the industry and drive to succeed, to influence a fast growing and exciting business model. With both Butcombe and Liberation pubs & inns, including the Channel Island’s sites, I’m presented with a great opportunity to test my abilities and enhance an already fantastic operation. Q This year Butcombe has unveiled a major re-brand and embarked on an ambitious expansion plan to operate 100 new pubs. What’s going to be your focus in this new phase of growth? A Our strategy is to grow the company’s portfolio to 200 mixedtenanted and managed sites within the next few years, purchasing great sites and improving our current stock with impressive refurbishments. I take the lead on all acquisitions and have a fantastic team working with me to ensure we bring new pubs into the Butcombe fold seamlessly. My favourite part of the job is definitely meeting new people, particularly all the landlords and publicans who have many interesting stories to tell. Q Now with a stunning refurbishment and the talented Leigh Evans as head chef, the Methuen is Butcombe Brewery’s flagship Inn. Are there plans for more refurbishments of this quality and to invest further in accommodation within the portfolio? A At Butcombe we’ll always have a real mix of businesses. The Hatchet Inn hosts live music and is the oldest pub in Bristol, whereas the Cottage Inn is a riverside pub offering an amazing waterside experience. Every site retains its own identity, ability and honest offering. The Methuen Arms is a stunning site and deserved its recent investment. We’ve recently won planning permission to add a further five boutique rooms to the 14 already onsite. I’m looking into developing a collection of similar sites over the coming years, focusing on rooms and that special weekend getaway experience. Bedrooms have always been a priority to me. In the right pub they are essential and make a substantial difference to the offering and future opportunities of a business. Q How did you come across Concorde BGW? A I first came across BGW when working with Fullers many years ago and have worked closely with them on several successful projects over the years since. Q How much have the pubs benefited from investing in refurbishment? A Each investment we’ve completed has exceeded expectations and continued to drive new trade. These sites are refurbished for good reason. They’re either tired, or in need of a change of direction. I’m a huge fan of offering a particular experience to anyone who visits one of my pubs. It’s important to provide a proper bar area as well as an inviting, yet relaxed dining section. On top of this, my love of the outdoors means that the gardens have become a focus and will shape the customer’s first impression on arrival. Q What do you think is going to be the next big trend in hospitality? A Our industry is constantly evolving and trends seem to come and go pretty quickly these days. I’m really enjoying watching what designers are doing with outside areas in particular. We have more and more days that our customers can enjoy our gardens and I believe as an industry it’s important to continue improving the outdoor experience regardless of season. Q What’s next for Concorde BGW and Butcombe? A We’ve only just finished the Pig & Fiddle in Bath, an iconic and central site that looks amazing. There are projects currently booked in with the additional rooms at the Methuen Arms as well as restoring the oldest pub in Cheltenham, The Old Restoration Inn. Beyond this, there’s several others with planning and designs in the pipeline, which really is exciting.
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Focus on‌
Chairs Chairs have been around for thousands of years (5000 to be precise) and they come in various sizes, shapes and designs. You use them every day, yet you rarely allow them any attention. When looking at chairs for your business, here’s what we think you should consider: You want to maximize the amount of tables and chairs in the restaurant without sacrificing a clean flow of foot traffic between the kitchen, dining room and front door. Think about storage, do you need to store surplas chairs? These could be stackable for instance. Substance over design... in the practical sense When purchasing chairs, avoid styles with lots of designs and crevices. They will be harder to wipe down and keep free of crumbs and other debris. If you are purchasing chairs or restaurant booths with fabric seats, be sure to have the fabric treated with a stain resister. And plan to budget in a professional cleaning at least once, preferably twice a year.
If you are planning on buying a sofa or other comfy chairs, make sure they are durable and covered in easy to clean material, like leather or removable covers. The soft-seating is often situated near the entrance and so is important in setting the tone and should reflect your restaurant theme. Design classics such as the Thonet Bistro chair have stood the test of time for nearly 100 years. Classics such as these have numerous copys in the Bentwood style and are known for their elegant look, lightness and durability. Avoid buying non-commercial restaurant furniture. The main reason restaurant seating is so expensive, is that it is designed to hold up to the wear and tear of everyday use by customers. You can always add signature antique or re-upholstered chairs in amongst the scheme in the areas of less traffic.
revivalist.co.uk
An eclectic collection of new and vintage homeware and furnishings.
Unit 15A J3 Business Park Balby Carr Bank Doncaster, DN4 8DE + 44 (0) 1302 639 210 info@revivalist.co.uk
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The Dartmoor Inn Surrounded by the lush Devon countryside, the Dartmoor Halfway Inn in Newton Abbot is the sort of meeting point you’ll find locals rubbing shoulders with visiting walkers. Ashburton Rd, Newton Abbot TQ12 6JW
The destination pub, restaurant and caravan park with rooms has just reopened - to the delight of the locals - after an extensive threeyear renovation. Taking our cue from the venue’s setting by the River Lemon, the colour scheme features natural tones like burnt reds, mustard yellows, cool turquoises and lime greens, which are offset by flashes of copper. And from the artwork on the walls to the pop art campervans, references to the great outdoors can be found throughout the space. But the party is most likely to be found outside. The owners tasked us with designing a new beer garden, outdoor dining area and children’s
playground, which comes with plenty of round wooden tables for groups to gather around and a portable barbecue pit. We wanted revellers to enjoy being outside come rain or shine, so we’ve also installed two boutique sheds painted turquoise - with long wooden tables, upholstered seating and small heaters to keep thing cosy. In revamping the pub’s en-suite bedrooms, we have introduced textured tiles, earthy tones borrowed from nature and natural wood combined to create a welcoming oasis that’s got a home-away-from-home feel. dartmoorhalfwayinn.co.uk
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Pitcher & Piano Richmond — 11 Bridge St, Richmond TW9 1TQ
Set on the banks of London’s iconic river, Pitcher & Piano, Richmond is the latest transformation that Concorde BGW has worked on with Revere Pub Co. The terrace now benefits from a stunning new scheme featuring a variety of booth seating, poser tables and beautiful planters, breaking up what was originally described as “a sea of chairs”, into highly desirable zones. Customers can now while away their afternoons in a beautiful, landscaped terrace and enjoy the views over the river and Pitcher & Piano’s delicious food and drink. The scheme was carried into the conservatory and bar area, giving the internal space a refreshed look and feel with a new colour scheme, furniture and bric-a-brac. pitcherandpiano.com
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The award-winning design & build specialist to the leisure & hospitality sectors
Concorde BGW are the award-winning design and build specialists of the hospitality sectors delivering excellent projects to countless bars, pubs and hotels in the UK. For the past 25 years our reputation has been built on a belief that our work should speak for itself, whilst providing unique experiences, beautiful aesthetic and proven returns.
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With offices in London and South Yorkshire, our team of experienced experts are qualified in each of their specialist fields and are all passionate advocates of good design with an immeasurable love for hospitality.
Palmer Street Hyde Park Doncaster DN4 5DD
Unit 114 Screenworks 22 Highbury Grove London N5 2EF
01302 361 024
020 3355 2297 info@concordebgw.com
2017
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