Suburban Inns are a newly incorporated company with a vision to open 20 great venues. We won the commission as designers for the group and were asked to begin by redesigning The Village.

This huge pub in Moseley was outdated and needed a complete overhaul in order to make an impact with local demographics.

The local demographic was bohemian yet affluent and we saw the potential to design something that would appeal to their aesthetic sensibilities and their need for interesting character.

We were appealing to a relatively well off audience, but to create something high-end didn’t mean creating something modern. There were traditional pubs nearby and modern bars that served as the local competition, so we had to create something totally new that would appeal to the local personality, yet add a new dimension to Moseley.

From our research into the area and the history of the building, our vision was to see beyond the 1980 sandstone coloured interior, to envisage something older and grander, to create an alternative gastro pub with vintage flair.

The pub was run-down, but was Victorian styled with great potential and was just asking for new life. The local area needed something more up-market than they had, and by restoring and transforming this huge building, we knew we could reinvent it.

A key feature in the redesign was the roof. We took the risk of removing the false ceiling, and taking away interior walls and columns to create an open space with an ornate high roof. This became the focal point of the interior.

We then added to the customer experience with added interesting details to every corner, to create a beautiful and peaceful pub experience that’s laid back, yet cool.