Project Overview
Location: Ramsbottom
Project type: Comprehensive pub refurbishment and rebranding
Scope: Interior redesign, bar modernisation, flooring replacement, furniture refurbishment, and external rebranding
Challenge/Brief
The Brook had established itself as Ramsbottom’s premier live music and entertainment venue, beloved by locals for its vibrant atmosphere. However, over a decade of underinvestment had left the pub in disrepair, resulting in declining customer footfall and a venue that no longer met modern expectations.
The challenge was to create a cost-effective refurbishment that would reclaim The Brook’s position as the area’s go-to music pub whilst working within the existing layout. The design needed to appeal to today’s generation of music fans without alienating the venue’s loyal existing customer base.
Solution
MGI developed a strategic refurbishment approach that maximised impact whilst managing costs effectively. Rather than undertaking major structural changes, the solution focused on transforming the pub’s aesthetic appeal and functionality through targeted improvements to key areas including the bar servery, flooring, colour scheme, and external presentation.
Implementation
The transformation centred on a vibrant colour palette of blues and yellows that complemented the existing exposed brickwork and decorative timber details throughout the trade space. The bar area received particular attention, with the removal of an imposing timber overbar and back fitting, replaced by modern steel and glass back fitting, decorative steel overbars, and feature pendant lighting. A new feature tiled wall completed the bar’s transformation.
Recognising the venue’s live entertainment focus, MGI replaced the existing carpet flooring with hard-wearing luxury vinyl tile (LVT) throughout the trade area, ensuring easier maintenance for the management team whilst providing durability for high-traffic events.
Budget management remained paramount throughout the project. Existing furniture was retained where suitable and supplemented with carefully selected reclaimed pieces, all professionally refurbished to a high standard with an emphasis on vertical drinking arrangements.
The external transformation included full redecoration and a comprehensive rebranding scheme featuring sign-written logos and text on both front and side elevations, clearly communicating the venue’s renewed identity to potential customers.
Results
The refurbishment successfully restored The Brook’s reputation as Ramsbottom’s premier live music venue. The cost-effective approach delivered maximum visual impact whilst ensuring the project remained within budget constraints. The modernised interior now meets contemporary expectations whilst retaining the character that made the venue special to its loyal customer base.
The new hard-wearing flooring and modernised bar area have improved operational efficiency for staff, whilst the external rebranding clearly signals the venue’s transformation to both existing and potential new customers, supporting increased footfall and revenue generation.