Transforming businesses in Hebden Bridge for BBC show
TWO HEBDEN Bridge eateries were totally transformed by budding designers as part of the recent series of Interior Design Masters on BBC Two.
The series, hosted by comedian Alan Carr and judged by design expert Michelle Ogundehin, sees ten talented new designers all looking for their big break in the fast-paced world of commercial interior design.
This week saw a focus on the hospitality business and Chapter 17 and Square One Coffee Co in Hebden Bridge town centre took centre stage.
“We got involved when I saw an advert asking for cafe/ restaurant businesses who’d like to be part of a makeover tv show,” said Jack Reeder, owner of Chapter 17, a bar and restaurant on Market Street.
“I sent over an email and then I was told a bit more about the show and how it worked, they said they were interested in filming in Hebden because of the flooding.
“The restaurant hadn’t been properly done up since we opened in 2016 and it was starting to look a bit tired so we were delighted to have been chosen.”
The four remaining designers were tasked with designing their own floor in each location.They were given a brief but also were encouraged to inject their own style into the space.
“When I got back to the restaurant I was amazed at how both floors had transformed,” Jack added.
“Of course there were a couple of things that we wanted to tweak to make it more suitable for us and there’s a couple of bits that we’re yet to test out in a flood, but 99 per cent of it is exactly how they left it.
“We had a designer for each floor, and they both did an amazing job. The upstairs is now a far more sophisticated and intimate restaurant space and the downstairs brings a more trendy city bar feel.
“After such a hard couple of years with flooding and covid we’re so happy that we have a brand new space to share with our wonderful customers, and we can’t wait to welcome them back.”
Daniel Craven, Manager of Square One Coffee Co, a coffee shop in St George’s Square, explains how they were approached to take part in the show last year.
“We were approached by producers of the show in the summer and, although a little apprehensive about it, having had a bit of a rough year in regard to the pandemic, we decided that taking part in the show would be a bit of fun and be a positive highlight for us, even if it could have turned out a disaster!
“Fortunately, we were very pleased with the results and with one or two little tweaks, we’re very fond of our new décor and we look forward to showing it off to our customers in due course.”
This year’s series of Interior Design Masters was filmed last summer at locations across the UK.
Each week, the designers have been set a new commercial design challenge, to take on the interiors of show homes, offices, hotels, shops, beach huts, salons, restaurants and luxury holiday villas.
Comedian Alan Carr took over presenting duties for the second series. He said he was blown away by the contestants and that his stand out design happens in the next week’s final.
He said: “No spoilers here,
The series is judged by design expert Michelle Ogundehin ‘After such a hard couple of years we’re so happy that we have a brand new space’ Jack Reeder
but the two finalists blew me away and the poor judge Michelle Ogundehin was deliberating for ages because both designs were so breathtaking and clever.
“The fact they had to do so much - the upholstery, the lighting, the colour choices all in the full glare of a camera crew, in a limited time and on a budget, plus in a lockdown is astounding.
“You will have your mind blown I promise you.”
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