The Black Bull, Morpeth

Black Rose Pubs tasked Fusion By Design to propose a concept to update the interior of this pub in the north east. The challenge was to retain some of the much loved the traditional atmosphere and supplement this with a new scheme to encourage a wider variety of patrons to visit the site for all day dining and cocktail drinking.

The brief requested bold features and comfortable finishes. The existing interior of the Black Bull was tired and outdated with the rear area not getting much used, the client requested for us to create a link all the way through the venue from the front entrance to the rear to make full use of the space to create intrigue, to encourage guests to come further into the bar and make better use of the seating throughout.

To make a big point of difference the main façade was fully rendered to boldly signal change to all that passed, alongside a new signage scheme and a brightly tiled entrance lobby to catch the attention of passers by from the busy street.

The external rear beer garden received a complete overhaul to make full use of this exclusive space, a rarity in Morpeth. A new covered pergola was installed with electric heaters to allow all year round al-fresco seating. Wall planting was introduced to soften the hard surface area and to link the internal botanical theme with the outside. The installation New lighting creates a beautiful ambience for guests to enjoy evening drinks.

Internally a dramatic large scale floral wallpaper makes an impression as you enter the pub from the street, this is complemented with botanical fabrics and planting scheme throughout. A palette of luscious green tones and highlights of jewel colours create a warm rich atmosphere, they sit on a back drop of traditional leather furnishings and oak timber to retain the pub feel.

A dramatic large scale floral wallpaper makes an impression as you enter the pub from the street, this is complemented with botanical fabrics and planting scheme throughout. A palette of luscious green tones and highlights of jewel colours create a warm rich atmosphere, these sit on a back drop of traditional leather furnishings and oak timber to retain the pub feel.

The existing bar counter was retained and a new countertop with feature glass racks with a brass detail, were added to improve storage. A new rear back bar was installed which updated the look with oak timber and brass finishes highlighted with a central neon sign for those popular instagram opportunities that everyone desires.

A more practical layout was provided to improve the rear dining area to allow guests to drink and dine all throughout the space, each area was considered and received a key feature to make each different. Bold wallpapers and metallic paint colours with the addition of rust tones to add warmth and light.

The detailing in the artwork was inspired by the local history and Morpeth being a borough of prescription which was controlled by seven companies – the tailors, the tanners, the fullers, the dyers, the Cordwainers, the weavers and the butchers.