Ibstock Brick specialises in manufacturing high-quality brick ranges for all kinds of building projects. The cafe was situated at their company headquarters, manufacturing and distribution facility is based in Ibstock, Leicestershire.
During ongoing discussions with Blueprint Interiors, it was highlighted that their existing onsite café needed a complete fit out and refurbishment. The main aim was to create a new image that would encourage more people to enjoy using the space.
PLAN, DESIGN & FIT-OUT
The existing café was just waiting to be modernised to meet the needs of a diverse workforce within a progressive company. The café had originally been designed as a ‘works canteen’, serving basic breakfasts and lunches with an average usage of 40 covers.
Despite its downfalls, the building was ideally located right in the centre of the site. This provided the perfect position to create a welcoming space where all staff, regardless of their shift pattern, would be happy to meet, enjoy nutritious food and have opportunities to socialise with colleagues from across the business.
NEW CAFÉ DESIGN
The new café space features light and airy décor created by a combination of ceiling lights and window blinds, cool booths and bespoke wall art. As a brick manufacturing facility, we had to ensure that all furniture and décor was hardwearing and durable, including seating arrangements and designs that ensure people can meet and eat in large or small groups. The seating provided by Frovi worked perfectly in the space, mix of Block Steel, Relic and Ego provided the eating and seating requirements.
Integrating a ‘Costa Coffee’ franchise has given the space a whole new function as a more informal meeting spot outside of peak times. Charging sockets and wall-mounted LED TV’s means everyone can keep up with the latest news and sport and re-charge their devices, providing another reason for staff to visit.
A SPACE FOR ALL TO ENJOY
The onsite café fit out and transformation means that the café now serves over 150 covers per day, with a community feel where both factory workers wearing overalls and employees wearing business attire feel welcome.
With the space now capable of serving many more people, the servery was installed to ensure food can be displayed appetisingly and diners can be served as quickly as possible to avoid queues. A self-service drinks cooler, a salad bar and a toast station are also new features for staff to enjoy, and new recycling points are available for food packaging.
Outside, approaching paths have been block paved and a sheltered outdoor seating area has been created to enable staff to eat outdoors in nicer weather.
