The Red House
The Red House, the much anticipated new gastro pub from the Parogon Group, officially opened on Tuesday 10th September, making it the seventh venue opened by the group.
To coincide with the opening, The Red House has undergone a £950,000 refurbishment which has seen the site go from budget pub to premium restaurant. The work took 12 weeks to complete with over 60 workmen from P M Lally Builders working on the site alongside strategy and design partners, Keane Brands.
Speaking to PREMIER HOSPITALITY MAGAZINE about the work, Anna Sobolewska from Keane Brands said: “The project follows The Seven Stars site that was recently opened so Parogon wanted to continue with the gastro pub feel. Some features were included from the previous site, but every new brief is a new challenge and has its own concept and design scheme. There is a common DNA and branding look, but each site has a different feel and inspiration.
“The Red House, located in Lilleshall, an area known for the historic old-style firing of iron, takes its inspiration from the ironmaking process and many finishes subtly relate back to aspects of fire and smoke.”
Highlights of the newly designed space include a feature pizza oven, back illuminated wine wall display, large banquette seating and intimate settings.
Anna continued: “One of the first features that you see as you enter the restaurant is the pizza oven, which is definitely the focal point of the space.
“Because of the nature of the building, we decided to include some fixed seating in the middle of the high ceiling space to break-up the corridor effect. The two linking booths with a steel frame feature and lighting above each create a premium dining spot and offer a feeling of privacy, even though located in the middle of the restaurant.
“Previously the building was quite closed off with a snug at the far end of the bar area, which was rather invisible. The idea was to open the space and link it through with the rest of the building. We decided to take the bar across and create a double-sided bar servery accessible from both ends – the main bar area and the snug area. The larger openings helped to incorporate the snug into the main space and allowed a vision through from one end of the restaurant to the other.
“Even though each dining spot offers a different feel within the space – from a semi-private group dining, through to more intimate dining experience – everything is linked through the finishes and the underlying theme of smoke and fire.”
General Manager Richard Knight is more than qualified to open this highly sought after foodie spot. He has climbed his way up at the Parogon Group over four years, working across four sites, including helping to open the last venue – The Seven Stars.
Richard said: “Opening up the Seven Stars was an incredible achievement and also super successful. During my time at the Seven Stars I helped develop staff around me and feed the Parogon ethos to all. I have also been trained in the kitchen to sous chef standards.
“I have now been given the opportunity to open The Red House as General Manager and I’m very excited. Contractors P M Lally have done an excellent job in helping to refurbish the existing premises and I can’t wait for the public to see the changes and start enjoying our food, drinks and atmosphere.”
Anna added: “We have heard really great feedback since we finished. The customers are amazed by the huge transformation of the space and are very surprised by the change that we have done. Everything has been really positive, and the client seems very pleased.”
The Red House is the latest venue joining the Parogon Group’s repertoire which comprises of The Swan with Two Necks, The Wayfarer, The Orange Tree, Blockhouse at The Sheet Anchor, The Boars Head and The Seven Stars.
