Contagious relaunch for Match logo

Match, the bar group, is to relaunch its identity, designed by Contagious, and open a bar in Leicester, with interiors by Skakel & Skakel and branding by Contagious, next year.

Contagious has also designed packaging for Proof Pilsen, a beer created by Match, which launches before Christmas. It sourced the bottle, described as ‘traditional’ by Contagious design director Vaughan Yates. The beer is the second brand in the Proof drinks range following the launch of Proof Kolsch in March. Contagious created packaging for Kolsch and a brand identity for Proof.

The Leicester bar, which has a £750 000 design and build budget, will open at the end of March. Skakel & Skakel will begin implementation work in February.

Contagious will brand the environment, and incorporate the new Match identity, which will be launched at the opening of the bar. ‘We will work with Skakel & Skakel to subtly create an interior that carries the brand through the environment,’ says Yates.

Match operates four bars in London: two Matchbar’s, Sosho and The Player. The name for the Leicester bar has not been confirmed. ‘We have been building on the successful [interiors] elements of the bars in London. We have taken the urban concept and flexed that to make it appropriate for the Leicester market,’ says Skakel & Skakel director Bob Thwaites.

Match will open another London site in two months, with locations in France and Sweden being considered. The group expects to have seven bars by the end of next year.