North West Premier Hospitality Scotland

Drake & Morgan

Drake & Morgan
Written by Roma Publications

Drake & Morgan

Drake & Morgan

Popular bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan opened two new sites in November as the company continues with a nationwide expansion. The Refinery St Andrew Square in Edinburgh and The Refinery Spinningfields in Manchester both were launched as the first Drake & Morgan ventures in either city.

Both venues are also significant in that they are the first for the predominantly London based group to be outside of the nation’s capital. Taken as a collective, Drake & Morgan venues are a collection of individual all-day bar and restaurants. Founded in September 2008, the company has established a portfolio of 12 bars and restaurants during its eight years of operation. Landmark sites across London include The Refinery at Bankside, The Parlour at Canary Wharf, The Pagination at Canary Wharf, The Refinery Regent’s Place and five City sites: The Happenstance, The Folly, The Anthologist, The Otherist and The Fable. The group has most recently opened Drake & Morgan at King’s Cross in 2015 and The Commission at Heathrow T4 this summer.

The design on both projects was carried out by London-based design agency Fusion DNA, who worked closely with Drake & Morgan to create their signature style. Founded in 1998, Fusion DNA is a market leading consultancy with over 20 years’ experience within the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors. Made up of approximately 25 talented architects and designers, the company covers all stages of feasibility, concept design, detailed design, consents, FF&E, tendering, contract admin and on site management. In addition to working on the Manchester and Edinburgh establishments, the company has worked on all Drake and Morgan establishments.

The Refinery St Andrew Square will bring a touch of glamour to Edinburgh’s already thriving and renowned drinking and dining scene with a stunning setting that is sure to delight locals and visitors alike. St Andrew Square is the commercial centre of the city, characterised by its pubs, restaurants, and designer shops as well as a 41 foot tall monument built in memory of Henry Dundas. The Refinery is located within a new £75 million office and shopping development.

From replenishing breakfasts through to power business lunches, late-night dinners, cocktails, masterclasses and pop-ups, the new bar & restaurant will be an all-day escape for Edinburgh’s most discerning drinkers and diners.

Spread across two beautifully designed floors – visible through ground to ceiling glass windows – and separated by a show-stopping spiral staircase, guests will be greeted by a beautiful bar and casual dining area, with a statement back bar illuminating the various bottles of wine and spirits available. Towards the rear will be an intimate restaurant and open-plan kitchen with sit-at counter dining, bringing all of the action of the grill to diners who want a front row seat. Curiosity will almost certainly lead guests up the staircase to the restaurant’s library lounge where they’ll be able to sink into comfortable armchairs draped in fur. There will also be an al fresco terrace, complete with blankets and hot water bottles for year-round revelry.

Food choices for a variety of occasions are provided all day alongside flavoursome cocktails mixed by in house professionals. Small plates and mezze boards are ideal to share while those looking for something a bit more substantial can enjoy sumptuous burgers such as the buttermilk chicken burger or wagyu beef burger. Classic Drake & Morgan favourites including braised beef shin, butternut squash risotto, lemon chicken and grilled salmon. If after all that diners are still looking for a little bit extra then a selection of delicious deserts are available ranging from chocolate orange jaffa cake to a selection of Scottish cheeses.

As with all Drake & Morgan establishments, cocktails take equal billing with food at The Refinery St Andrew Square. They believe every cocktail tells a story, whether that’s in its diverse history or the secrets to its explosive flavours. Mixology classes delivered by in house experts take customers on a journey, sharing tips and tricks of the trade before allowing them to craft their own.

Open seven days a week, The Refinery St Andrew Square’s opening will channel everything people have come to love of a Drake & Morgan bar and restaurant, while adding bold new touches across all aspects from the fantastic drink and food to the inspiring interiors, ready for the new Edinburgh scene.

Similarly, The Refinery Spinningfields will capitalise on the ever growing Manchester hospitality scene.

Spread across one strikingly designed floor, fronted by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space has been carved into zones including a bar and casual dining area, a restaurant and a cornered off lounge separated by statement screens to give an air of exclusivity. As with all of the Drake & Morgan sites, it’s the finishing touches that make the difference. Exuding an industrial sophistication with feature lighting and touches of colour and texture throughout, the interior is complemented by a carefully curated range of home and lifestyle wares. An outdoor terrace, accessorised with cosy blankets and hot water bottles, is perfect for people-watching.

Located in the heart of the city, Spinningfields is one of Europe’s most successful urban regeneration projects. With visitor numbers of over 5.5 million people a year, it is home to a variety of restaurants and bars as well as luxury international fashion brands and over 165 world class financial and commercial services organisations. The Refinery will be ideally placed to establish the Drake & Morgan brand within the Manchester area. A second venue for the city has also already been announced at One St Peter Square. It is currently scheduled to open in spring 2017, with its name yet to be revealed.

Drake & Morgan

Fogtrap

In business for 10 years, Fogtrap specialise in all aspects of fat, oil and grease (FOG) management. Fogtrap’s flagship product is the Mobile Greasetrap Interceptor, a system that effectively intercepts and traps fat, oil and grease that would normally be discharged into drains or sewage system.

Fogtrap is a privately-owned, family-run operation with experience, knowledge and expertise in helping commercial and institutional food facilities to dispose of FOG properly. Fogtrap supplies, installs and monitors all systems with FOG disposed on a flexible, scheduled contract basis.

The company focuses on delivering value-for-money, high quality solutions with environmentally friendly products covered by 24/7 assistance from fully trained engineers.

In addition to working with Drake and Morgan, Fogtrap has worked with Nando’s, Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein, Hawksmoor, Hilton, Five Guys, GBK and Tortilla. As well as work with the hospitality industry, the company has been involved in numerous sewer and drain projects with Thames Water and Severn Trent.

Sales Director Ray Cartwright commented:

“Our business offers a nationwide, quality service in the fight against the fat, oil, and grease problem. We pride ourselves on being a professional, first class service, offering a sustainable operation that creates 100% recycled waste efficiency.”

Drake & Morgan

McGoff & Byrne Ltd.

McGoff & Byrne Ltd. is a UK based, family owned, multi-award winning construction and integrated support services business. The company’s expertise covers site acquisition, design, new build, refurbishment, fit out and facilities management tailored to the bespoke requirements of a valued blue chip client base.

Established in 1973, McGoff & Byrne Ltd. work with a select list of repeat business branded clients both nationally and internationally within the leisure, retail, commercial and healthcare sectors. McGoff & Byrne were the main contractor for the new Drake and Morgan venues in Manchester and Edinburgh; the first projects they have delivered for this new client. McGoff & Byrne’s impressive client base also includes Bourne Leisure, Merlin Entertainments, Whitbread, Greene King, Wahaca, Chilango and Nando’s.

Declan McGoff, Operations Director commented:

“Our ethos is heavily geared towards fostering long term partnered relationships with our clients, working closely with them to develop an extensive knowledge of their brand and identity. Following the success of the Manchester and Edinburgh schemes we are delighted to have secured a third project for Drake and Morgan in London.”

Declan added:

“We pride ourselves in the quality of our work; this quality service offering is demonstrated by the repeat business highly esteemed blue chip client base that we retain and build upon year after year.”

McGoff & Byrne sits at the heart of the McGoff Group; a multi-faceted collection of like-minded businesses whose primary aim is to remove the speculation associated with development. www.mcgoffgroup.com

 

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Roma Publications