Premier Hospitality

Millson Group Profile

Millson
Written by Roma Publications

Millson Group Profile

Raising the bar and setting new standards of excellence within the hospitality sector, Millson Group put together teams of multi-skilled professionals to solve client’s land, design and construction challenges.

Millson’s teams of surveyors, architects, project managers and interior designers can be combined to advise and assist clients.

With their commercial approach to design and delivery, the company will ensure that each client’s return on investment is top priority at all times.

Millson Group have a prestigious portfolio of completed projects including many high-end hospitality schemes such as Vicinity, Tower Hotel, London; Soak, Grosvenor Hotel, London; Albert’s Schloss, Manchester; The Red Lion, Moore and Marine Pub & Kitchen, Liverpool.

Premier Hospitality spoke to one of Millson Group`s Associates Carl Priestley to gather further insight into these schemes.

Vicinity, Tower Hotel, London – Delivering this stunning drinking and dining venue on program and under budget, Millson Group provided a concept design scheme for GLH to extend an internal enclosed area outwards onto a covered terrace offering elevated iconic views of Tower Bridge and the Thames, the whole internal and external space equating to 500m2.”

With an indicative budget of £750k, the extension works comprised a new steel framed flat roof extension with copper framing concealing an external pergola upon entrance; new floor to ceiling bi-folding doors and windows to increase internal light and views out to the waterfront, and improvements to the internal and external level changes to provide inclusive access to all visitors from the street through to the hotel.

Soak, Grosvenor Hotel, London – Situated in the incredible surroundings of the grade 2 listed 4 star Grosvenor hotel in the Grand Imperial restaurant, Millson Group’s proposal was to re-brand and completely revitalise the former Victorian coffee house into a modern contemporary space intended to attract and retain hotel guests who currently drink and dine elsewhere.

Carl Priestley said: “The most striking feature introduced internally was the double-fronted gantry ‘Island’ bar positioned to the centre of the large space, between the existing Corinthian heavy set columns with symmetrically curved ends to face both public entrances.”

A mix of booth seating on raised platforms, fixed banquette seating and loose furniture, tables, benches and chairs define flexible space whilst a free-standing mezzanine floor with curved staircase provides a secluded area, adding covers with exclusivity to reserved guests.

Albert’s Schloss, Manchester – The site, the Albert Hall, run by Mission Mars, is a grade 2 listed building in the centre of Manchester.

Millson’s brief was to maintain and enhance the site`s existing features through specification of innovative products and ingenious design to create a truly unique venue that would become the true figurehead of Manchester’s drinking and dining industry.

Carl Priestley said: “The synergy created between old and new features, along with the wide array of materials and finishes utilised created a space that is both warm and welcoming to all – whether it be the daytime trade frequenting the in-house bakery – or the multitude of people making the most of Manchester`s legendary nightlife. Albert`s has truly become the jewel in Manchester`s hospitality crown.”

Millson

Albert Schloss

The Red Lion, Moore – One of Millson Interior Design’s more extensive external design projects is The Red Lion in Moore, just outside Warrington.

Despite being a well-established pub and known for its good food, the site had a lot of under-utilised external space with a closed off central courtyard, including an historically listed barn to the rear of the of the site backing onto a large grassed area with only a few picnic benches sited.

The brief from Star Pubs & Bars was given to create a more ‘secret garden’ style dining area which allowed access from the front of the site through the courtyard to the grassed seating area at the back, while also utilising the existing barn.

The space’s central hexagonal timber pergola was designed with an open fire pit and raised seating around as a focal point.

Subtle feature lighting was added throughout the pergola and new fixed seating within the barn, which has been opened as a ‘secret’ thoroughfare to the grassed external area.

The successful rejuvenation of this courtyard has helped to preserve and maintain a heritage asset for the local community and tourists to enjoy for years to come.

Marine Pub & Kitchen – Millson Interior Design were approached by Punch Taverns to transform this site in Waterloo, Liverpool.

Previously a sports bar, Millson was challenged to preserve this site’s regular sporting customers, while also designing a space that attracts families and diners.

This was achieved using a varied style of seating – from relaxed seating booths and poseur height drinking areas to an abundant of dining areas suitable for couples and families.

The sporting theme was preserved externally, but redesigned to also attract families and couples. A ‘playful’ rear beer garden is complete with a play area, table tennis and table football.

Both external drinking areas have significantly increased their covers, and the introduction of festoon lighting, fixed seating and a pergola creates a very attractive alfresco dining and drinking area.

Carl Priestley concluded: “Since the refurbishment, the site is trading far beyond expectation and achieving a weekly return almost double that which was forecast prior to the investment.”

If you have an upcoming development you would like to discuss, please contact Carl Priestley on 0161 228 0558 / 07393 015508, or email: carlpriestley@millsongroup.co.uk.

 

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