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Case Study:

Pom’s Kitchen

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Client:

Services Used:

  • Conservation
  • Refurbishment
  • Interior Design

Completed:

2015

Client overview:

Established in 2015 in Lichfield, Pom’s have already built a strong following of loyal customers who just love popping in for breakfast, meeting friends for lunch or dinner and shopping in their deli. They have a vast selection of fresh local produce and pride themselves on serving the very best local ingredients.

The Client

Our client for this project was Pom’s Kitchen, an award-winning eatery in the heart of historic Lichfield. Mid-way along Bird Street to the north of the George Hotel, the restaurant is just a short walk through the pedestrianised area to city’s designated Primary Retail Area.

Established in 2015, owner James Pomlett has created the perfect setting for any food occasion, from a relaxing breakfast or business lunch to dinner with the family. In just a few short years, Pom’s has built an excellent reputation, with great menus all based on the very best local ingredients.

The Project

Align Architecture were appointed to sensitively and appropriately refurbish the existing frontage of Pom’s to provide a high-quality unit, which would enhance the business appeal and make a positive contribution to the surrounding character with a sympathetic use of materials.

The shop frontage is early 19th century with panelled pilaster strips and entablature over a recessed central entrance, with bowed plate glass windows. Upper floor windows have rubbed brick flat arches over sash windows with a wrought iron lamp bracket and lamp.

The Design

It was important to deliver a high-quality scheme alongside the principles of good practice for street management, outlined in the ‘Streets for All’ guidance produced by English Heritage, which seeks to reduce clutter, co-ordinate design and reinforcing local character relating to the historic built environment.

The proposed design to the frontage will promote activity at Street level as evidenced by a number of other units along Bird Street and the wider city centre.

We proposed new fabric awnings positioned to either side of the recessed entrance over the bowed glazed windows, which would provide weather protection for patrons seated outside and add to the character of the building.

Simple high-quality branding would link the external and internal spaces, with non-illuminated hanging signage on the brickwork pier between the first-floor windows, similar in style and size to other signs in the area.

The Design

The designs were approved by the client and the various works undertaken by local craftsmen, to include:

  • re-decoration to the existing shop front;
  • new non-illuminated hanging signage;
  • two new feature fabric canopy awnings to either side of entrance
  • patron bench seating fixed to shop front alongside general ‘loose’ seating;

Through the pre-application consultation the proposals were firmed up to ensure that they were suitable and fit for purpose.

The Outcome

Our design offered the opportunity to re-invigorate a vacant former restaurant unit in the heart of Lichfield, whilst also respecting its heritage status.

The re-instruction of external seating to the frontage promotes activity at street level with passing pedestrians, whilst also providing a new type of food offer in the area to complement the existing Bird Street experience.

The design approach and client brief, was to ensure the scheme delivered a high-quality refurbishment with a strong street presence. The chosen materials palette and external appearance were sympathetic to their context, which enhances local distinctiveness.

The outcome has raised the quality of the built environment within the area and enhances the visual context of Bird Street. Particularly as the proposed development is located on an important gateway route into the city centre form the north west.

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