Bringing glamour and individuality to the mix

31st January 2011, 4:42pm

The latest project from joint venture fit-out company, Pochin Rische, has gone down a storm with its guests. We take a look at what the new-look Alchemist in Manchester has to offer.

Located in the Spinningfields development, The Alchemist is the latest addition to the Living Ventures stable, which is the company behind leading restaurant brands such as Gusto and Blackhouse Grills.

Founders of the restaurant group Tim Bacon and Jeremy Roberts teamed up with fit-out company Pochin Rische to respond to the overall brief which was to "create a modern bar for a modern city". 

Tim Bacon, managing director of Living Ventures, wanted the new venture to feel relaxing and welcoming. He describes it as "a modern day 'Cheers'. A haven for the hardworking business people of Spinningfields and beyond, where innovative and exciting cocktails are the order of the day, in comfortable surroundings where to everyone feels welcome."

Unique features of the bar include the "relaxing creams and whites contrasting against dark solid wood fittings" which Bacon says creates the perfect backdrop throughout the day into the evening.

Antony Pochin, who was joined by a team of designers to work on the fit-out, says it was very important that his team formed a close relationship with Living Ventures to make the project work.

He says: "The complex brief from Living Ventures required a completely bespoke solution and the Pochin Rische project team worked closely with the interior designers to understand the client's requirements for the space, completing the project in just five weeks." 

"With a project like this it is important to support the client's needs and be flexible, and that is exactly the service that Pochin Rische prides itself on."

The team at Pochin Risce is particularly fond of the high ceilings and main bar area. "The 8-metre high ceilings in the main bar area create real drama when entering the bar and also from the outside, looking in, the floor to ceiling glass windows make for an impressive and inviting façade. 

"The bar itself, which is 1-metre in diameter, is manufactured from French oak and set within the backdrop to the bar is a feature clock which creates a real focal point.  Across the top of the backdrop to the bar, there are private lockers which are used to house the highest quality drinks. Lockers are accessed by staff by climbing a ladder which is attached to a sliding rail, this create quite a spectacle for the clientele." 

"We are really proud of our work on this project, its eclectic mix of old and new, smooth and textured, coupled with its warm welcoming atmosphere and the quality of the stock to choose from behind the bar makes it very special."

As a result of targeting new sectors within the industry, Pochin Riscue now has a rosy but challenging future ahead of them:  "We are no longer strangers to this sector and working on the Alchemist project has been a great experience and one which sets our business up to offer this specialist turn-key service to more bars, restaurants and shops.  

"Pochin Rische has already secured new business as a result of this work and new enquiries have been stronger than expected." 

"Of course we have been affected by the recession; all businesses have in some way. However, we have targeted new sectors and exploited the experience we already have in other sectors, but never really pushed before, for example retail and leisure. 

"Commercial pressures from the operators to open on time means contractors must fully understand the brief, be flexible to creative modifications, and be prepared to work long and hard to ensure delivery. It is rare in the retail and leisure sector to find fit out consultants that are able to carry out such bespoke work in tight timescales. 

Pochin Rische, with its small in-house team, has been able to take advantage of this gap in the market and carved out a niche for itself in this area."

 "The Alchemist is the latest addition to the Living Ventures stable…it brings glamour and individuality to the established mix."

The refit came to approximately £700,000.