Dawnvale Leisure Interior Solutions

Phil Fanning crowned ‘Best Chef’ at top industry awards!

2012-02-10T01:45:00.000-08:00

Phil Fanning, Head Chef at Paris House restaurant in Woburn picked up gold at this year’s annual Hi-Life Dining Awards, where he won the much sought after ‘Best Chef’ award sponsored by Dawnvale. As Bedfordshire’s only Michelin-starred restaurant and set in 22 acres of stunning deer park on the historic Woburn Estate, the restaurant has won numerous awards and is a ‘must-do’ for food-lovers.

Phil went head to head in a final cook-off competition with Tom van Zeller, Enzo Mauro and Christopher Cleghorn filmed at Dawnvale’s recently launched North West Design Centre’s theatre kitchen.

Elizabeth Carter, Editor of the Good Food Guide and Food Writer and Restaurant Critic Matthew Norman from the Daily Telegraph were joined by Hi-Life member and Sponsor Denise Jones of Dawnvale.

This year’s Hi-Life Awards (www.hi-life.co.uk) or HILDAs as they are fondly known in the industry took place on Friday 3^rd February, 2012 at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.

The Hi-Life Dining Awards are considered the leading food and drink awards in the industry, with nominees and winners voted for by the dining public.

Presented by TV presenter and journalist Paul Ross, guests enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a four-course dinner and a glittering line-up of first-class entertainment including American singing sensation Gwen Dickey of Rose Royce fame.

Stars from stage, screen and sport presented thirteen awards to some of the best restaurants and chefs in the UK and Ireland.

Said Lisa Lund, Hi-Life’s Commercial Director:

“Tonight was a fantastic showcase of the very best in dining excellence and congratulations to all our winners and short-listed entries. The calibre of participants this year has been exceptionally high. With more sponsors and partners than ever before this has been our most successful event to date and I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful support and enthusiasm, including, in particular, our loyal Hi-Life Dining Club members and restaurants.”

This year’s nominated charity was the Five Stars Appeal. A live auction and raffle raised over £10,000 pounds for the charity.

Best Newcomer Bem Brasil, Deansgate, Manchester

Best Restaurant Group/Chain Prezzo, Essex

Best Dining Atmosphere Rhubarb Food Design, London

Best Ireland The Cloth Ear, Belfast

Best Scotland The Howgate Restaurant & Bistro, Midlothian

Best Yorkshire & North East van Zeller Restaurant, Harrogate

Best North West Grenache, Walkden, Worsley

Best South England Oakbridge Wines

Best Platinum Pecks Restaurant, Congleton

Best Chef Phil Fanning, Paris House Restaurant, Woburn

Best Telegraph Subscriber Dining Club Restaurant Crab & Lobster , Thirsk

Best Overall Michael Caines, ABode Chester

Special Recognition The Living Room Restaurant & Bar

Fast Track Refurbishment At Sheffield University.

2011-12-08T01:38:00.000-08:00

University of Sheffield Union of Students

Bar One

Sector: Education

Location: Sheffield

Duration: 6 weeks

Situated at the base of the Sheffield University, Students' Union Bar One is not one to miss.

As one of the country's largest student bars it now has an enviable reputation with everything you could possibly want from the perfect Students' Union bar.

Interior Fit Out and Bar Specialists Dawnvale were appointed as Main Contractor to provide a full design and build scheme to the University and Union Officers. With a very clear brief set out for the proposed scheme, our Projects team provided a full design and build scheme managing all aspects of planning and building regulations for the large glass extension and structural works incorporated.

After undergoing a major interior and exterior refurbishment programme to the various areas contained within the Bar, the Bar has successfully achieved the desired affect both from an operational requirement and interior finish.

The interior works and timescales were a test to all involved, as comprehensive Specialist Asbestos works were incorporated within the programme along with all the required notification and investigation. The 6 week programme incorporated substantial structural works to both front of house and back of house areas, the new menus required new additional CPU areas with a new commercial kitchen and extraction for the Bar One Cafe, the extensive Bar was also further extended to cope with the additional footfall with new fixed seating lounges and booths created around the stage and new glass extension.

Throughout the venue, a new lighting scheme with controlled dimmable zones created a perfect ambience to the separate dining, drinking, daytime and evening requirements. Working with the University Technical Team, a upgraded sound system and screens were fitted throughout to attract a wider audience, the internal and external signs and graphics provided the Bar with the newly created Brand Identity and interior scheme.

The Bar now features a large glass extension to the main Bar, from this a separate Cafe area with newly installed commercial kitchen and ventilation scheme, provides a open service for the new menu. The expansive areas provide a further Raynor lounge with an array of bespoke contract furniture and fixed seating throughout, all carefully finished with special RAL colours and bespoke fabrics to match the Brand identity.

The entire venue has undergone new floor and wall finishes, bespoke joinery detail throughout with bespoke glazing to all external elevations. A full M&E package was installed around the newly created room spaces and glass extension, the redundant fixtures, fittings and ventilation systems were removed to make way for the specialist works.

The Bar One team added, “We've got lovely cold beer, big steaming mugs of tea, stylish cocktails, and more Jägerbombs than you can shake a proverbial stick at!

We've got comfy sofas for chilling, shiny new screens for watching all your favourite sport, a massive pool room and probably the best beer garden in Sheffield”

Explained Bar One’s Service Director Nigel Hallam, “the focus for key investment is in the front of house seating area and improvement to deliver a new food offer combining the Fusion day time provision and the Bar One provision. The service now offers a new food menu ordered at the bar and served to the tables on crockery along with an evening food service”.

The finished refurbishment was unveiled within 24 hrs of completion and operational to full capacity. Graeme Wood from Bar One added “This is exactly the reaction we wanted, the feedback has been exceptional”.

Dawnvale provide a full design and interior fit-out service for the refurbishment of Bars, Cafe Bars, Restaurants, Hotels and Spas, we work with key design partners and can provide new-build projects, nationwide. We also work alongside clients' own architects, designers and principal contractors, offering a comprehensive in house service.

New North West Design Centre Signage.

2011-10-26T00:40:00.000-07:00

Here is the new sign for the North West Design Centre. It has large cut out distressed brass lettering with an orange glow from the rear.

Many thanks to Absolute Signs for a job well done.

Westfield Stratford City shopping centre open!

2011-09-13T01:14:00.000-07:00

Europe's largest urban shopping centre is due to open in east London later.

Westfield Stratford City is located next to the Olympic Park and will provide the only access to the site for the Games in 2012.

The £1.45bn complex houses more than 300 stores, 70 restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, three hotels, a bowling alley and the UK's largest casino.

Dawnvale were pleased to be involved with this project, creating the 50^th TGI Friday’s in the UK. In keeping with its Olympic location, the restaurant and bar are designed in a circular stadium style allowing guests to enjoy the entertainment from Friday’s world-class bartenders.

So far 95% of the centre has been let. It is claimed that up to 8,500 permanent jobs will be created by the retail sector.

The complex will provide the only access to the Olympic Park and large screens will be displayed along the centre's walkways to show the main sporting events.

Bill Giouroukos, director of operations at Westfield, said: "The retail mix we are putting in place at Stratford will be the next chapter in retail development for London."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who will help cut the ribbon at the official launch, said the project was "setting the pace for the transformation of east London".

He said: "It is one of the most important legacies of the 2012 Olympics.

Dawnvale - InDesign Magazine Article

2011-07-19T06:55:00.000-07:00

Dawnvale's achievements at Yee Rah, Liverpool, are well documented in the latest edition of InDesign magazine. View the latest E-Mag below.

http://emag.indesignmagazine.co.uk/?utm_source=Sign-Up.to&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=236615-InDesign+eMag+eShot+August+2011

University of Sheffield

2011-07-11T05:26:00.000-07:00

Dawnvale have been awarded the £500,000 refurbishment contract for the University of Sheffield, due to commence at the end of the month.

Watch this space for more information.

www.dawnvale.com

Gastro-pub Pointing Dog opens this month

2011-07-05T03:19:00.001-07:00

Dawnvale's bespoke bar division have designed and manufactured the latest bar at Pointing Dog, part of the Felicini chain of restaurants.

The duo who own The Grinch bar in central Manchester and the Felicini chain of Italian restaurants are pumping £1.5m into a new gastropub in Cheadle Hulme, near Stockport.

Ged Lynch and Neil Lawrence, whose Sheffield-based business The Nose owns Felicini sites in Manchester city centre, Didsbury and Wilmslow as well as The Grinch, are creating 50 jobs through their latest investment.

The Grove Lane site formerly occupied by The Smithy pub will open as Pointing Dog later this month.

Mr Lynch, who grew up across the road from The Smithy, said: “Pubs are the heart and soul of every community so I was delighted when the opportunity came along for us to build on this site.

“It's a long-term commitment and we are dedicated to making it succeed.”

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/jobs/s/1425612_gastro-pub-pointing-dog-opens-this-month-?newsletter=business%2520bulletin-20110705

Frigomeccanica and Dawnvale

2011-06-30T03:14:00.000-07:00

Dawnvale have now been appointed the UK's agent for Frigomeccanica, Italian counter & bar specialists.

Feel free to contact us regarding a new bespoke counter or bar, to any shape and size.

See them here www.frigomeccanica.com

Yee Rah Liverpool

2011-06-21T02:46:00.000-07:00

FAST TRACK REFURBISHMENT

Following the success of Chaobaby in the Trafford Centre, the group appointed Dawnvale as Principal Contractor for the Refurbishment of Yeerah Liverpool One.

Working directly with both Designer and Client, the brief was to refurbish the entire Bar & Restaurant along with Back of house services all spread over 2 floors. As with all the Group’s venues, they like to have an element of the Chaobaby touch, there is always some element of truly bespoke and unusual statement piece so we expect the unexpected. However the half a million pound project was only allocated a 7 day program and had to be operational on the 8^th day... no problem!

Despite having specific requirements to deliver on and a programme that was to say the least tight, the Dawnvale Projects and Furniture team spent several weeks planning the fast track program to ensure it ran smoothly despite working round the clock.

Following initial meetings, the program commenced swiftly and full contracts team managed by Senior Project Manager John Berry took hold of the site. All existing fittings and interior finishes were removed to make way for the new scheme, this included floors, kitchen and bars, the infamous 7 metre water fountain and all electrical and mechanical fittings. Working around the clock, the shift teams carried out a full interior build of new ceilings, electrics and ventilation, new floors and wall finishes.

Commenting John Berry added “We managed all aspects of the complete project from start to finish, the key to the success of this fast track project was in the planning, we knew it would it was a big ask

but we spent weeks planning every single detail to ensure the handover date was on time and everything finished perfectly”.

The project was testament to Dawnvales various divisions working together, all various trades and in-house manufacturing capabilities provided the complete design and fit-out job: adapting the existing layout; supplying the lighting, furnishings and fittings; manufacturing and installing bespoke bars and an 8 metre theatre kitchen, Fixed seating and bespoke loose furniture; all finished with bespoke colour schemes and wall finishes.

The finished refurbishment was unveiled within 24 hrs of completion and operational to full capacity. Regulars to the Unique Bar & Restaurant appeared confused when entering as the venue had been transformed to a new look since their last visit literally days ago. Ben Marshall from Chaophraya added “This is exactly the reaction we wanted and is the key reason we approached Dawnvale and their can do attitude regardless”.

www.dawnvale.com

North West Design Centre Website Launch!

2011-06-21T01:19:00.000-07:00

Dawnvale launch the new 'North West Design Centre' website today.

It includes everything for the Hospitality and Leisure industry under one roof!

See it here

www.nwdesigncentre.com

Coffee Machine Starter Pack!

2011-06-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

Check out our special offer on coffee machine starter packs,

http://www.dawnvale.com/user-specialoffers.html

Dawnvale May E-Shot

2011-06-07T05:18:00.001-07:00

See Dawnvales latest e-shot on the link below;

http://www.dawnvale.com/email3/email.html

Mojito Bartenders

2011-05-03T01:25:00.001-07:00

Mojito bar is looking for bartenders, click the link.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/jobs/bartenders/77403582

Mojito Bar - Manchester

2011-05-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

The completed outside bar for Mojito's in Spinningfields - Manchester.

ISD Plant Art in the design centre!

2011-03-17T02:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome ISD Plant Art to the Design Centre. They are specialists in artificial interior and exterior plants for the contract market. View there website here, http://www.plantart.co.uk/

Inamo Restaurant London

2011-03-16T02:18:00.000-07:00

Dawnvale are pleased to announce that Inamo restaurant in London has been shortlisted for the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in 2011. It is up for the best independent restaurant category and best international lighting.

Dawnvale worked with Inamo on a 3 day furniture fit-out scheme.

The awards highlight designers and operators for design excellence. It’s the only concept dedicated exclusively to design and is currently in its third year running.

To view the shortlist, visit

http://www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com/

Welcome Karndean Flooring

2011-03-15T01:33:00.001-07:00

We are pleased to say that Karndean, the luxury flooring specialists, have become an associate & exhibitor of the Dawnvale Design Centre! We would like to welcome them on board.

Northern Bar & Restaurant Show

2011-03-08T02:31:00.000-08:00

Here is Marco Pierre White on the North West Chefs Association stand at the Northern Bar & Restaurant Show in Manchester last week. Dawnvale created and sponsored the stand which got a lot of attention on the 2 day event.

KRO Bars in Bar Magazine!

2011-03-07T00:53:00.000-08:00

Dawnvale helped put together The Kro Bar feature in the March edition of Bar magazine. Read the article below...

2011-03-02T02:39:00.000-08:00

The luxurious Mere Spa is offering an introductory offer of 50% off your first trip, including wine, treatments, massage and spa facilities!

http://www.the-mere.co.uk/

KRO Bar feature in Bar Magazine!

2011-02-24T00:38:00.000-08:00

Check out our KRO Bar feature in the latest issue of Bar Magazine, page 14.

View the digital copy at http://www.barmagazine.co.uk/

Dawnvale appointed as Main Contractor in Liverpool...

2011-02-15T04:06:00.000-08:00

Chaophraya, Yee Rah - Liverpool One

Following on from the success of Chaobaby situated in the Trafford Centre, The Chaophraya group renowned for their authentic yet modern Thai fine dining cuisine has appointed Dawnvale to carry out a full refurbishment to the existing Yee Rah restaurant at Liverpool One.

The Bar and Restaurant currently spread over two floors, is a particularly demanding project as Dawnvale’s contracts team will be working to very tight time restrictions, with the entire project to be completed within an eight day programme.

Neil Guest, Managing Director comments “We’re very excited to be working with the Chaophraya team on this scheme and confident that with our combined experience and reputation, we will create the ultimate restaurant destination in the capital, it’s a stunning venue and has everything under one roof”.

The proposed refurbishment scheme will see Dawnvale’s various divisions carry out a full makeover to the interior including walls, ceiling and flooring along with a new bespoke Bar and Theatre Kitchen in line with the theme synonymous with the group.

Dawnvale launches new website!

2011-02-03T05:39:00.000-08:00

Dawnvale are proud to launch the new website for 2011. It seems only right that the new look website corresponds with the companys continuing expansion of Leisure Interior Solutions, providing the very best in full interior fit out projects to the bar, restaurant and hotel sector.

The new website is a visual representation of some of our proudest achievements that we have completed over the years, with details of any aspect of the job provided upon request. Find out recent news on products and projects and see the recently completed Design centre which showcases everything from vip furniture to a fully operational ECO theatre kitchen.

Over the years Dawnvale have carried out full interior fit out and refurbishment projects, designed and manufactured innovative bespoke bars and provided furniture solutions for bars, restaurants and hotels throughout the UK and Europe. Dawnvale has earned an unparalleled reputation for cost effective, industry leading results.

Bartle Hall Country Hotel - Boutique Refurbishment

2011-01-18T01:47:00.000-08:00

Bartle Hall Hotel is a charming and elegant period mansion dating from the 15th century. Set amidst 16 acres of extensive landscaped gardens.

Having worked directly with the client on the Balmoral Suite at the Country Hotel a number of years ago, Dawnvale were appointed to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment to the main public areas, reception, bar, lounge and hallways within the Manor.

An intensive 6 week refurbishment programme is underway providing the hotel with sophisticated yet multi-functional dining, banqueting and hotel and conference facilities, whilst also ensuring the latest intelligent technology is incorporated.

As part of the programme the company is also installing a new reception counter, bespoke bar dedicated to the suite, creating new offices, reception and toilets. The bespoke and decorative joinery in the reception area, lounge, bar and hallways, all manufactured by our contracts division, is complimented by the new interior finishes and furniture from our extensive contract furniture range throughout the reception and bar/lounge area, using an eclectic mix and match of chairs, as well as bar stools and sofas in wood and leather.

The Residence Hotel

2011-01-13T01:14:00.000-08:00

The multi-award winning Residence Restaurant and Bar sits in the glorious, historic centre of Nantwich. The elegant Regency building - once the Lord Mayor of London‚s 'Residence' underwent a complete fit out and refurbishment programme in 2007 of which Dawnvale were proud to be appointed.

After the success of their original fit-out of the elegant grade-two-listed Regency building, Dawnvale are delighted to work again with the owner of the Residence on the new £1 million hotel planned for the land adjoining The Residence.

The scheme will include an 18-bedroom hotel with adjoining banqueting suite, garden and car-park, designed to complement the character of the town centre and its historic surroundings‚ as well as Residence.

The venture, supported through English Heritage will see Dawnvale carry the build and fit out to all areas including the furnishing and interiors of the complete project.

Taking Theatre kitchen to a new level

2011-01-11T04:30:00.000-08:00

Dawnvale have been involved with the Chaophraya family from its early beginnings 5 yrs ago, so it’s no surprise that the experienced Bar and Fit Out team at their Head Office in Manchester were given a brief to test their true skills.

‘The kitchen has to look like your own; expectations are high and it has to be superbly finished – like a Porsche. The kitchen is on full view, even the behind counter so it needs to look sexy, oh... and please confirm this will be perfect!’

This was no surprise given the precise detail achieved on the previous parent Restaurant Chaophraya. Having successfully worked on the first Chaophraya in Manchester 5 yrs ago, then onto Chaophraya Liverpool to create a unique Royal Thai Fine Dining Cuisine restaurant, and currently a further refurbishment program in Manchester underway, the benchmark had been set. In conjunction with Chaophraya, Liverpool also featured Palm Sugar Lounge Bar which equally set high standards for a complementary theme and interior bar finish.

The new Chaobaby at the Trafford Centre appear to be raising the standards again, but the bespoke design and brief was an exciting challenge. As specialists in the leisure industry for over 25yrs Dawnvale take a bespoke approach on any project. It’s essential the expected day to day operations are taken on board along with the aesthetics, as is the budget and timescales; this is where Dawnvale come into their own, saving crucial time, value engineering and providing commercial experience to the scheme. The results speak for themselves.

What did we do?

Dawnvale took the theatre kitchen to a new level: Royal Thai cuisine cooked in bespoke woks and served from invisible induction technology. We manufactured and installed a bespoke ‘U’ shape Granite Servery counter with a hidden induction system, including Teppanyaki hot plates, Noodle Cookers and copper chafing dishes.

We installed a fully fitted commercial kitchen including a gas cook line incorporating Woks, Fryers, Grills and large bespoke canopy; designed and installed a Walk-in freezer room, wash up area and preparation section with comprehensive ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration throughout.

Dawnvale completes Nutters Bar & Restaurant refurbishment

2011-01-11T04:24:00.000-08:00

Interior fit out specialists Dawnvale have just completed an impressive new Bar Lounge for Celebrity Chef Andrew Nutter’s, Nutters Restaurant.

Run with his family, Andrew and his father had a clear idea what would complement their award winning venue. Coupled with Dawnvale's knowledge, experience and creativity, the Restaurant now has a bar lounge to rival any restaurant. Gone are the aged tables, chairs and interior; now in their place is a contemporary lounge area for pre-dinner drinks and Champagne cocktails.

The entire lounge and bar areas were all part of a fast track refurbishment program, all of which were carried out and managed by Dawnvale. A bespoke interior scheme was designed, manufactured and installed to complete the classic modern interior within the10 day program.

The entire wing of the Manor was stripped back to the shell with the refurbishment program incorporating structural works, M&E, building and joinery along with all interior finishes, furniture and fittings to walls and floors.

With teams working round the clock and the odd hidden gem uncovered along the way in the old property, the skills and experience of our contracting team coped with all obstacles, and finished on time and within budget.

With an eye for attention to detail, Nutters have further contracted Dawnvale to refurbish the Bar and Commercial kitchen to same high standards as the Lounge, providing the Manor House with the perfect interior for the extravagance of Andrew Nutters cuisine.

Andrew commented: “after using Dawnvale on other projects, we had no hesitation in using them on this of which is our largest to date. Dawnvale provided a professional approach to everything that was expected to deliver the perfect finish, from the initial design to the final product. There was a complete trust factor and an open book policy – “Just close the door and i’ll leave you to it – see you in 10 days!”

Andrew Nutter is an award winning Chef, hosts numerous TV programmes, has his own books, judges many cookery events and of course demonstrates at major food events around the country, the list is endless!

Nutters Restaurant is housed in the lavish setting of an 18th century manor house, set in 6 ½ acres of groomed parkland with spectacular views across Ashworth moors, all this makes perfect settings for the extravagance of Andrew Nutters cuisine.