Winning designs reflect values of restaurants

Apr 14 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

AN interior design business is sitting pretty after two of its customers picked up awards at a ceremony where the winners were voted for by the public.

Fluid Design Solutions, based in Newcastle, designed and fitted the interiors for Pan Haggerty and Barluga in the city – both of which recently triumphed at the North East Restaurant Awards.

Dave King, director of Fluid Design Solutions, said: “Interior design is crucial for the leisure industry as part of the overall customer experience.

“When working on the interior for Pan Haggerty, we had to look at their key values. Their ethos is good, hearty British cooking brought bang up-to-date and they really deliver on this.

“We took this on board and aimed to reflect the values of the restaurant in the decor.

“We kept it simple with bare brick walls, simple and comfortable chairs and local photography on the walls to reflect the locality of the dishes.”

Pan Haggerty opened in October last year at the renowned 21 Queen Street address and scooped the Best New Restaurant title at the awards, which were presented at The Sage Gateshead.

The restaurant’s co-owner Mike Morley said: “The restaurant has achieved great success in its opening months and I am sure that Fluid’s excellent interior design has contributed to this.

“Fluid created a contemporary interior where diners feel relaxed and can really enjoy the food.

“We wanted a stylish yet informal setting and I think that the interior really reflects this.”

Barluga won the award for the Best Interior. General manager Hannah Martin said: “To win an award for the bar’s creative interior is one thing, but to win an award voted for by the public is even better. Our customers regularly comment on how stylish the bar and restaurant are and I think this really does contribute to our reputation and repeat custom.”

Rob Collins, director of the North East Restaurant Awards, said: “Both awards are testament to the fact that customers really do take notice of their surroundings.

“A well thought out interior can really boost sales and encourage customers through the door.”