Harrison brings beach bar to UK

Birmingham consultancy Harrison Design has been appointed by Greenalls Pubs and Taverns to design a new beach bar concept, the first of its kind in the UK.

Work has already started on the 1.7m design project, the Baja Beach Club, on the site of a former warehouse in Gateshead.

The new-style club is expected to open its doors at the end of May.

There are 20 Baja Beach Clubs in the US, owned by entrepreneur Larry Spatz. Greenalls has acquired the UK rights to the beach bar concept.

“They are very lively venues. The Gateshead Club is going to break the mould for clubs in the UK, it’s the Antichrist of nightclub design,” says Harrison managing director Philip Harrison.

“Design-wise, it’s quite a theatrical stage setting, fairly off the wall. The whole idea of Baja is ‘every night’s a party’, not a glamorous or sophisticated image. Most UK nightclubs go for a minimalist look with sharp, clean, contemporary finishes. This is totally different; a lot of timber, a lot of bric-a-brac and beach symbolism; sharks coming out of the walls, speedboats – it’s really ‘in your face’.”

A Greenalls spokeswoman says, “Harrison has a proven track record for innovative design of this type of outlet – a pub with a nightclub feel. We are currently looking at other suitable sites for more Baja venues, but no others are planned at present.”

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