Finch’s spreads wings with JKR

London brewer Young & Co is to roll out a chain of Finch’s bars, with an identity by Jones Knowles Ritchie, following the opening last month of the first branch, in London’s Finsbury Square.

Two more bars are earmarked to open in Slough and Chelmsford, and other venues in the South East are being considered.

Finch’s JKR-created identity is inspired by the former Finch’s brewery, which Young & Co bought in 1991. The brewing group chose to use the name for the modern bar and restaurant concept, which is being headed by project architect Neil Bardrick.

“Bardrick has adopted the identity for the interior design, creating original modern wall hangings and rugs used throughout the bar,” says a JKR spokeswoman.

A Young & Co spokesman says Bardrick is not working with an interiors consultancy, and will handle the two new openings himself. It is less certain if he will design all of the forthcoming bars.

“Young’s tried two or three identity concepts, but was not happy with them,” he continues. “We are looking at other sites in and around the Home Counties at the moment, including Oxford.”

He predicts that as many as half a dozen branches of Finch’s could be open by the end of the year.