Blacksheep styles Ramsay pub

Gordon Ramsay opens his first pub, The Narrow, in London’s Limehouse today, with an interior design scheme and branding by Blacksheep.

The consultancy was appointed to the project last October, having approached Gordon Ramsay Holdings about its plans to enter the pub market. The group was selected on the strength of an existing relationship with Ramsay, having previously undertaken interiors consultation work on Channel 4’s Kitchen Nightmares programme, hosted by Ramsay.

Blacksheep was briefed to create the brand identity and interiors for the riverside site at 44 Narrow Street in Limehouse. Using research into the history of the surrounding area and the Grade II-listed building, the consultancy devised a concept that would emphasise the heritage of the area, while being appropriate for a traditional style pub, where ‘food and drink would be the heroes.’

‘Even though the building is listed, there was nothing historical or of architectural importance inside. It had been completely bastardised by the big brewing companies that were there before. Good old traditional pub fare formed the concept for the interiors, ’ says Blacksheep co-founder and director Tim Mutton.

The 286m2 interiors overhaul involved restoring the original fireplaces, bar tops and opening up the private dining area – the Captain’s Table – at the front of the pub on the ground floor, as well as looking at lighting, materials, furniture and colour schemes.

The project also involved creating a logo for the pub, which has been applied to food and drinks menus, stationery and promotional material. The idea for the branding came from old style packaging, says Mutton.

Blacksheep is now working on phase two of the project to develop the outside terrace space.