Midlands & East Anglia Premier Hospitality

The Mailbox welcomes Gas Street Social

Gas Street Social, Birmingham
Written by Roma Publications

Gas Street Social, Birmingham

Gas Street Social will open in Birmingham’s prestigious Mailbox in March this year following a year long project.

The upmarket bar-restaurant has been inspired by the city’s culture and industrial history and will boast numerous quirky design details.

Gas Street Social is the latest venture from the Shaker Group, operated by entrepreneur Adam Freeth, which already operates Shaker & Company in London; a New Orleans inspired cocktail saloon. We caught up with Melony Spencer, design director at Spencer Swinden, to find out more about the firm’s involvement with the Gas Street Social project.

Melony commented: “Adam Freeth contacted us after we were recommended to him by a colleague and we met to develop the concept. We became involved in March 2014 and did a lot of research into the demographics of the area before we designed anything to understand what the local competition is. We looked for a niche in the market and as the project progressed Adam decided to create a modern bar-restaurant which nods to Birmingham’s industrial heritage and rich history.”

Work began on site in January this year with main contractors Approved Shopfitting and Interiors undertaking an entire refurbishment from a shell unit.

A full fit out of the venue is being undertaken including the laying of new flooring, air conditioning services, new electrics, new alarm systems and CCTV installation.

The venue, which offers views over the canal, was previously Bar Room Bar and is now in the process of being entirely revamped.

Upon entering the venue guests will be greeted by the dramatic open kitchen complete with a chef’s table and hanging metal unit finished with reeded glass in the centre of the space. A bar runs along the right hand side of the ground floor space and boasts a quirky, distressed, reclaimed bar front, with a zinc top. The back bar will be tiled using scaffolding boards and will be just one of the restaurant’s features to boast upcycled materials as part of the wider industrial theme.

Gas Street Social, when completed, will also comprise varying height booths and seating for those dining or simply having a few drinks. A large sharing communal table will also feature around an existing structural column in the venue, nearby a grab and go coffee area.

Quirky design details to be installed at Gas Street Social include impressive hand pulls made out of recognisable tools from the trades of Birmingham; such as the jewellery and gun industry. Cobalt blue will be used throughout the venue alongside a muted colour scheme including industrial greys, metals and unfinished black steel features.

The venue comprises enough space for 120 covers for those dining as well as plenty of standing space. The venue’s first floor comprises toilet facilities and back of house services.

Gas Street Social will specialise in fresh, seasonal and shareable modern European cuisine. The venue will also boast an impressive drinks menu comprising regional and international class beers, fine wines and a cocktail menu featuring handcrafted signature creations.

Melony added:  “We are delighted to be working with one of the first independent businesses in the Mailbox. It is a prestigious place and it is great for us to be involved with that. It is also wonderful for us to be involved with an operator who knows his stuff; we like to work with professional people who understand what we are suggesting.”

About the author

Roma Publications