Murray 03 fleshes out grill concept

Murray 03 founder Gabriel Murray has created the brand and interiors for ‘pub and grill’ concept The Butchers, which opens later this month in Essex.

The site in Witham is a ‘test-bed’ and the company behind the concept, Food and Beverage Group, is ‘on the look-out’ for other venues in similar locations, says FAB chairman Tony Carson. ‘We may open up to a dozen sites initially.’

Carson is aiming to buy former Beefeater sites to convert into Butchers pubs. The mid-market concept is aimed at families, and will offer fresh food on display and an open kitchen format. Customers choose meat or fish, which is then grilled in front of them.

‘It’s fundamental dining – fresh, traceable food in a traditional setting. We want to bring theatre into cooking,’ says Carson.

According to Murray, the work ‘retains the character of the site’. ‘We’ve introduced a lighter, more airy feel to the dining area,’ says Murray. ‘The aim is to attract as wide an audience as possible.’

‘We wanted to make style references to butchers’ shops with the interiors language,’ he adds. ‘It features outsized graphics harking back to those found in butchers’, such as “Choice Cuts”, on the walls,’ he says.

Murray was approached by Carson, winning the work without a pitch on the strength of previous work together. The job is worth a five-figure fee to the group.