Some of the oldest pubs in England date back further than 1,000 years, cementing their integrity in the past, present and future of British culture. A place to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Where celebrations of both births and deaths are held. That welcome light at the end of a long journey. A refuge for the weary, lonely or lost. An inn or public house can be found in nearly every village, town and city in our country, and are often the heart of the community.
There are approximately 5,000 pubs in the UK, all in various states of ‘cosy’ disrepair, old school glory, partially reconditioned or entire renovation. After the lengthy amount of time we’ve spent studying the unique interiors of various in pubs and bars (ahem), we’d say the Cord Industries team are more than qualified to assist in developing the interiors. Whilst some pubs remain the same, others have shifted with the times, becoming bars and gastro-pubs. We have worked on a number of unique bar modernisations throughout Cornwall, including The Seven Stars in Penryn, 12 Beach Road in Newquay, and Bluntrock Brewery in Rock.
Cord Industries founder Dave
Back in the day, Cord Industries founder Dave worked behind the bar at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, took part in national cocktail competitions and was the first bar manager at the St Moritz Hotel in Trebetherick, near Polzeath. Just up the road, you’ll find Bluntrock Brewery, a nanobrewery established in 2021. Sited in four bright yellow refurbished shipping containers, they brew 450 litres of craft beer each week that is sold at their onsite taproom. Owners George and Hugo commissioned a set of hairpin leg bar chairs and hairpin leg bar stools in birch plywood and charcoal, and six bar-height hairpin leg tables in plywood with a dark grey laminate, for the interior bar area of the taproom.
Bluntrock Brewery, photo by Doon Williams
Within a building dating back to 1540AD you’ll find The Seven Stars. The bar and rooms went through a transformative refurb in 2020. Design agency Absolute worked across the project, from the interiors through to the brand itself. Absolute commissioned bespoke hanging glass racks for above the bar, and an under-lit back-bar bottle display.
The Seven Stars, Penryn
Brunch, lunch, cocktails and coffee are the cornerstones upon which 12 Beach Road, overlooking Towan Beach in Newquay, are built. We were commissioned to create over-bar units (to hold glassware), shelving and a compliment of hairpin leg bar stools in plywood and pink steel. We love adding a pop of colour, and our steel can be powdercoated to a clients' exact brand colours.
12 Beach Road
Whether the furniture needs to blend in with the existing history of the pub, or a new bar is being opened with specific brand guidelines in place, our designs are created to slot seamlessly into the aesthetic of the establishment, whilst offering the utmost level of usability and functionality.