Premier Hospitality - Hawtrey

Eat17
T
he resounding success of an outstanding refurbishment
project at the Eat17 restaurant and bar in Walthamstow
Village, London, has become evident where it matters
most – with record takings reported every week since the
venue re-opened.
Eat17 is an independently owned small group of eateries and
convenience stores with a culture built around creativity and
product quality. Earning a reputation for its owner and chef, Chris
by his famous Bacon Jam, which has become a celebrity favourite
since featuring on the Jonathan Ross TV Show.
The Walthamstow restaurant was recently refurbished in a
challenging project carried out within a tight two week timeframe,
to a design by London based design studio, Hawtrey-Woore. Main
contractors for the scheme were Interstor Contracts who were
commended for their work.
Natasha Hawtrey-Woore of Hawtrey-Woore design studio said:
delighted that this is evident at Eat17 in both the atmosphere and
the takings. It has been a privilege working with Eat17 who have
put their trust in us to create this experience and with Interstor who
handmade cement tiles and incorporating a number of dining
tables, with natural sheepskins draped over the chairs which add
opening to the main dining area with its circular zinc topped tables
and upholstered stools. At the far end of this area, the space is
divided into more intimate sections, with tables for two made from
reclaimed oak and leather upholstered banquette seating, using
low walls featuring arrangements of fresh foliage to divide the
space.
Natasha Hawtrey-Woore of Hawtrey-Woore design studio said:
“Chris is very down to earth and laid back, yet he sets standards
relaxed vibe was at the very heart of the design brief and led us to
“The brief also called for a stronger relationship between the bar
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Alexander Mulligan
Taking
inspiration
from
both
artistic
and
sculptural approach to design questions the
implied connotations of furniture, object and
interior, whilst creating beautiful and original
outcomes for all types of environment.
Alexander Mulligan has been involved with both
production and bespoke projects with names
such as Innermost Lighting, Mint, Wallpaper
exhibited at 100% Design, Design Junction,
MADE Sao Paulo and Milan Design Week.
Design works include interiors, furniture, lighting
and product.
Premier Hospitality spoke to Alex himself,
Managing Director of Alexander Mulligan, who
told us:
“After graduating from a Masters degree in
Furniture Design and Technology in 2011, I have
since gone on to work on commission based
furniture and interior designs for both residential
“My love for design is led by my passion for
creative outcomes and the collaborative process.
It is important to work with other creative minds
and clients with a vision.
“Working with Eat 17 I designed the main lighting
installation after working closely with Natasha
and discussing the objectives, the mood and the
overall theme of the space. We decided to use
the nearby forest as an inspiration. I focused on
the tree forms and the process of stem bending
ash, working together with gifted fabricators
HAVELOCK 11. The lighting design is an original,
bespoke, bold design that works in synergy with
the overall interior.”
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Metal Sheets Ltd
and the restaurant to create a consistent experience throughout
the space.” There is a growing trend for diners who want to have a
pre-dinner drink at the same establishment.
One of the key features of the refurbishment was to soften the
the restaurant and bar areas and re-position the bar in a more
central location. This entailed knocking through the dividing wall
and installing a bespoke structural framework needed to support
This was a major element of the project – particularly due to the
tight two week timeframe allocated to complete the refurbishment.
The works involved constructing a hoarding around this section
of the restaurant with works ongoing whilst the restaurant was
operational, as this was the only way to achieve the completion
deadline.
“This element of the scheme was so central to the success of the
project that we were all determined to achieve the desired result,”
said Natasha Hawtrey-Woore.
Another key element was to make the bar itself a centerpiece
to be enjoyed from both the restaurant and the bar areas. “As
a centerpiece, we wanted it to feel special while maintaining a
natural, unpretentious feel. By adopting a simple, honest form
and making it entirely in natural copper, we were able to create an
exciting, natural focal point for the space,” said Natasha HawtreyWoore.
Another important aspect of the project was the re-location of the
entrance to the side of the venue. The entrance was previously
at the centre of the internal space, and created congestion with
people entering and leaving in the same area where diners
were queueing for the restaurant – coupled with staff and other
customers trying to get through the crowded space.
Having been in operation for seven years, Metal
Sheets Ltd specialises in bespoke bar tops, table
tops and interior design features in a range of
materials such as copper, brass, zinc, pewter
and bronze.
The establishment has previously worked
on a variety of projects with a series of clients,
including producing a pewter bar at the O2
Arena, crafting copper bars at Wetherspoons, a
pewter counter at Eltham Palace and a MCFC
Joe Mercer Bar. Other clients include Selfridges,
Superdry, Newlook, Gormet Burger Kitchen,
Jamie Oliver, Raymond Blanc, Nandos, Hotel
Chocolate and Flight Club.
Premier Hospitality caught up with John Rutter,
of Metal Sheets Ltd, to discover a few details
on the company and its involvements with the
developments at Eat 17. According to John:
“Working on the project with Eat 17, we supplied
aged zinc table tops and copper panels for the
site. It was important for us to work on this
scheme as all projects we do are important to
us, large or small.”
When asked what the company prides itself on,
John responded with:
“Our skilled craftsmen manufacturing high
quality products; and our technical team that
works with designers and architects to achieve
their vision.”
The re-location of the entrance therefore resulted
in alleviating congestion and also in making the
In addition, the queues of customers prompted
by the popularity of the food had created the
while still giving diners a feeling of comfort and
intimacy at their tables.
“We used low dividing walls, deep upholstered
banquettes and soft, glowing pendant lights for
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each table to achieve this. We also created an area in the bar
for people to enjoy a cocktail while they wait to be seated” said
Natasha Hawtrey-Woore.
She added: “As Walthamstow Village is where East London
became an inspiration for our design. We took
an urban approach to natural elements so, for
example, the light installation in the bar is an
engineered take on tree branches by designermaker, Alex Mulligan. Similarly, we took a natural
approach to urban elements - so rather than
have a polished copper bar, we let it take on a
natural patina, as it would do if exposed to natural
elements.
“The colour palette stems from the mix of natural
aged olive green leather to create an earthy, yet
sophisticated feel, combining urban and rustic
“We used texture to add warmth and depth, while
respecting the intended simplicity of the space.
The subtle texture of the clay plaster on the walls,
the richly marked reclaimed cider barrel oak used
as an accent throughout the space, as well as
area all play their part.
Clayworks
Clayworks specialises in creating distinct, bespoke, unique
feature walls for hospitality interiors using its own 100% natural,
“The brief also called for
a stronger relationship
between the bar and the
restaurant to create a
consistent experience
variations and ranging from highly polished to deeply textured,
experience.
Clare Whitney, Marketing Manager at Clayworks, spoke to
Premier Hospitality to reveal some information on the company
and its contributions to the developments at Eat 17. Clare said:
“With all of our design and manufacture in Cornwall we can
work with designers to create truly unique interiors with an
“In operation since 2002, we were originally a sustainable
building company and wrote two books on Building with Cob and
Using Natural Finishes. We researched and developed our own
ready-made, entirely natural clay plaster, which we launched
in 2011 to international acclaim and were awarded an FX
International Design Award in 2012 for its breath-taking design
and sustainability credentials.
“Working with Eat 17, we manufactured and supplied the clay
accredited plasterers. Eat 17 is a stunning restaurant that is a
beautiful and comfortable place to be. Clay Plasters are not only
aesthetically beautiful but appeal to all of the senses creating a
transformative and emotional experience.
“There is a revolution taking place in hospitality where design
and interior branding goes beyond paint, furniture and curtains
and reaches into the very fabric of the building, with unique
and memorable multi-sensory experiences being sought by
designers. Clay Plasters can meet all of the requirements of
hospitality designers.”
Clayworks has completed projects for HRH Prince of Wales,
Nandos Restaurants, Wahaca, Wagamama, The Lakes by Yoo,
Foster and Partners, Alexander McQueen and many more.
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Interstor Contracts
Limited (ICL)
Established in 1999, Interstor Contracts Limited
work.
Past projects for prestigious ICL include a
nationwide contract for Blink Brow Bar, Zadig
such as Coventry FC and Hibernian FC. The
several concessions in Harrods, Selfridges,
John Lewis and House of Fraser also building
works in quality London homes.
Working on Eat 17, ICL manufactured and
installed a complete bespoke restaurant inside
and out.
Speaking to Premier Hospitality, Tony Haywood
of ICL said:
“We were thrilled to work on this project, East
London is an up and coming, vibrant place to
live and we pride ourselves in having carried out
numerous projects in this area.”
He added:
“At ICL we pride ourselves in being a highly
skilled company with many years of experience.
We construct high quality bespoke pieces and
are enthusiastic about bringing new concepts to
our clients.”
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Bert & May
Bert & May Materials is dedicated to the
tiles, wood, paint and furniture. Distinctive design
and quality craftsmanship are the backbone of
the business.
is situated in the heart of East London and
colour ways.
“Art and bespoke pieces are integral to our design approach,
and we work with artists and makers to create unique pieces and
“A mural depicting branches stretching in from the garden came
from the idea of bringing elements of the kitchen garden into the
interior. The photography on the walls was collated by us from Paul
between nature and the city in a thought provoking way. This
made to our own designs.”
Cow horn style chairs were chosen to echo the design cues for
the restaurant and a specialist clay plaster was used on the walls
to add texture, warmth and a natural feel. One wall also features
brick slips to blend with a garden wall outside.
Natasha Hawtrey-Woore concluded: “Overall we set out to create
and its edge of East London provenance. We have re-worked the
with a focus on imaginative use of craftsmanship. Our aim has
been to create a relaxed, natural feel, with an air of quality and
excitement.
“We used texture to add warmth
and depth, while respecting the
“Eat17 was already a popular space, so we were
eager to offer its clientele something new, exciting
and rewarding. We are delighted with the positive
feedback that the restaurant has received about
the new design and that they have had record
takings every week since the re-opening.”
Eat17 is owned by brothers Chris and Daniel
and step brother James Brundle.
The restaurant has been committed to producing
honest British food, sourced ethically, skilfully
prepared and reasonably priced, in a relaxed
and unpretentious setting, since 2007. At the
Walthamstow venue, bread is made on the
premises, in the EAT17 bakery at their multi
award-winning SPAR convenience store.
East London Sausage Company (across the
road).
is caught using sustainable methods and the
creams. Fruit and vegetables are sourced locally
wherever possible. Many of the excellent wines
on offer are organic and local beer is on tap.
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