London & South East Premier Hospitality

Tasteful transformation with a French accent

Brasserie Blanc, Winchester
Written by Roma Publications

Brasserie Blanc, Winchester

 Brasserie Blanc in Winchester has been given a new lease of life, following a refurbishment and transformation in line with the rebranding of the 20-strong Brasserie Blanc French Restaurant group.

Working with award-winning branding and interior design agency, Blacksheep, the restaurant group is looking to build upon its success with a new understated and stripped-back identity, carefully designed to respect the character and history of each site.

Based around the concept of ‘chez nous’ and Brasserie Blanc as the ‘home’ of real French cooking, the new look establishes a relaxed all-day dining experience.

A range of unique and different spaces such as a pantry, cheese and wine counter and enhanced bar areas have been introduced to each restaurant, encouraging customers to pop in for a morning coffee or post-work drink as well breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.

With beautifully simple décor and plenty of home-from-home touches, the interior of Brasserie Blanc in Winchester, which is split over two floors, has been carefully designed to respect the history and character of the building and now feels both spacious and cosy.

Brasserie Blanc, Winchester

The décor has been kept simple with natural materials and a muted colour palette of heritage tones to give an aged, worn quality, whilst earthy materials such as character timbers, antiqued materials and rich chalky paints add a sense of warmth and depth.

Everyday furniture is cleverly mismatched with statement pieces such as the weathered timber communal table, hand-stained chairs, rustic wire-brushed benches and a beautifully upholstered tapestry banquette.

Marble counters and antique French dressers display fresh produce, glassware and kitchenalia, proving a visual backdrop as chefs prepare cheese platters, bread and bar snacks in the restaurant.

Outside, a secret courtyard is decked with French Bistro furniture and oversized parasols, which are perfect for summer drinking and dining.

Mark Derry, CEO of Brasserie Blanc, said:

“Our aim is to reinvigorate the brand so it appeals to a broader audience and to create spaces that encourage relaxed all day eating and drinking. We’ve worked closely with Blacksheep to ensure this has been achieved – the refurbished Brasserie Blancs reflects our passion for honest French cooking and an everyday, welcoming ambience.”

Brasserie Blanc, Winchester

Nathalie Gibbs, Blacksheep’s Creative Director, said:

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with the BB team evolving their incredibly popular and delicious brand. We have built our new feel around ‘chez nous’ and the very French ideals of provenance, community, timing and seasonality, with the informal tone offering an authentic taste of France where the tempo of the day is celebrated in its entirety.”

The Brasserie Blanc Group is led by CEO Mark Derry and acclaimed chef, Raymond Blanc who said:

“A good brasserie is all about comfort, informality, warmth and great, simple food.”

The new branding, which has been translated across all the collateral including the logo and menus, has also been introduced to the brasserie in Cheltenham, with Oxford, Beconsfield and Bristol scheduled for early 2015.

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Roma Publications