The Abel Heywood sits proudly in the bustling Northern Quarter of Manchester City centre and has been a popular destination since it was first developed in 2015, from a derelict and fire damaged cotton warehouse, into a stylish pub and boutique hotel. After tirelessly serving its loyal customers for the past 9 years, the site’s owners, Hydes Brewery, appointed MGI to develop and project manage a refurbishment scheme that will ensure the site will maintain its status as a landmark of the Manchester hospitality industry into the future.
The brief given by Hydes’ Managing Director was to move the site from its previous industrial leaning design toward a modern-traditional public house whilst paying tribute to the history of Hydes Brewery and to Manchester’s iconic music heritage.
MGI proposed the introduction of feature wallpapers, Victorian tiling and bright heritage colours in order to create a light and airy atmosphere, away from its previously scumble glazed ceilings and worn plaster effect walls. All industrial light fittings were replaced with new antique brass period lighting and industrial shelving units and back fittings removed in favour of new timber back fittings and antique Victorian wall shelving.
Much of the existing furniture was given a new lease of life through refurbishment and reupholstery, with new feature furniture introduced to compliment the proposed layout changes. Feature cast resin tables with vinyl records from Manchester’s most famous bands, or Hydes’ brewery beer clips were included to provide points of interest and conversation points for visiting customers. New music and local interest themed bric a brac adorns the walls and compliments the overall finish of the site.
Layout changes to the ground floor were kept to a minimum with only the removal of existing face to face booths and introduction of new horseshoe booths and mid-height fixed seating.
The underutilised first floor of the pub was redesigned to encourage dining whilst the ground floor area remains focused on drinking and light bar snacks. The introduction of bi-fold doors to close off an area of the first floor provides a contained function room space for parties and meetings.
Feedback from the client and customers has been unanimously positive and MGI are confident that The Abel Heywood will continue its reign as king in the north(ern quarter) for years to come.
