Working with established pub operators requires more than pub interior design alone. It calls for a trusted partnership, one that understands the balance between heritage, brand consistency and the realities of day-to-day operations.
Our ongoing collaboration with Shepherd Neame reflects this approach. As Britain’s oldest brewer continues to expand its portfolio across the South East, we have helped them redesign several key sites to create spaces that inspire connection and belonging. Each pub franchise is designed around its setting and audience, while contributing to a wider vision for the brand.
Formerly known as Earls, this Grade II listed building was reintroduced to the Maidstone community as The Market House following a £900,000 refurbishment. The redesign focused on opening up the ground floor trade areas to create a more social and flexible environment, better suited to modern hospitality.
An important change in the layout was relocating the kitchen into a previously unused garage space, allowing for an open kitchen pass that brings energy and visibility into the customer experience. After moving the trade toilets to the first floor, we designed a new bar servery that was repositioned to align with a new main entrance, inviting people in directly from the Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre.
The extensive internal and external works restored the building’s presence in Maidstone, positioning it as a pub of reference in the area that now offers a modern, inviting atmosphere for both drinking and dining.
Set against the backdrop of the North Kent coastline, Minnis Bay Bar & Brasserie was reimagined as one of Shepherd Neame’s flagship destinations.
Once again, we were trusted to design, provide a fully detailed drawings package and manage this extensive £1 million pub interior refurbishment, reshaping the site inside and out and creating a memorable location overlooking one of the finest beaches in the South East.
The ground floor was fully rebuilt and extended to include a new bar, coffee lounge and a 100-seat restaurant, designed to make the most of its seaside location. Above, the function space was doubled in size and crowned with a generous roof terrace, offering uninterrupted views across the bay.
Outside, a large, sheltered decking area was added to create additional space for guests to gather, dine and enjoy the setting throughout the year.
Our focus for this project was on improving the existing bar and trade areas while extending the orangery to create a lighter, more open space for people dining and enjoying a drink. As a busy and well-established venue, the project required meticulous planning. We ensured the hotel could remain fully operational throughout using a phased approach that allowed works to progress while continuing to accommodate guests, events and weddings.
Working closely with Shepherd Neame’s property team on both the design and project management, we ensured the design could be delivered in a way that respected both the building and the people using it every day.
Across each of these projects, the ambition was the same: to create spaces that feel connected to their surroundings, work effortlessly for the teams behind them and offer something memorable for guests. Through a collaborative approach and a deep understanding of hospitality, we continue to help the growth of our partner, Shepherd Neame.
