A LEADING design company from Wirral has been chosen to deliver the stunning interiors for the multi-million-pound revival of an historic town hall building.

Castree Design & Relocation based in West Kirby, has been appointed to transform the interior of Hoylake’s Victorian former town hall, which is to become the Beacon Arts Village. The development incorporates a restaurant, a bar, an atrium café and a two-screen cinema.

Castree is a multi-disciplinary team and founded by design director Sue Evans 20 years ago. The firm is well known for its sumptuous interior designs for a range of clients across the UK from stately homes to wedding venues, from restaurants and hotels to offices and shops.

Wirral Globe: Visual impression of how the Beacon Project will look once completedVisual impression of how the Beacon Project will look once completed

Sue forged her reputation at North West Design Associates in Cheshire where, she was chief designer and as part of a team designed and furnished the Laura Ashley national chain of boutiques, as well as more than 100 historic Peter Walker & Co public houses; and the shops of luxury fashion retailer, Aquascutum.

Castree has been responsible for a number of high profile commissions, including the stunning redesign of Kinloch Lodge hotel and restaurant in the Isle of Skye for world renowned cook and food writer, Claire McDonald; Worcestershire’s beautiful wedding venue, Curradine Barns; and the Rolls Royce showroom in London’s Conduit Street.

Closer to home, Castree has worked on the Grade II listed Trident House in Liverpool, the former Liberal Party Reform Club; the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake’s Open Championship venue; and West Kirby Sailing Club on the banks of the River Dee.

The Beacon Arts Village development started on site in October 2019, following a grant of £3.64m from the government’s Coastal Communities Fund, which is designed to help seaside places flourish and strengthen their appeal as places to live, work and visit.

Sue said: “I have always loved this particular building and it’s wonderful that it is being turned into something that will be open to everyone and can be appreciated on many different levels. I think it will be a stimulating environment and very different from what already exists in this area and a place where people will want to visit and return to time and again.

Wirral Globe: Castree Design & Relocation design director, Sue EvansCastree Design & Relocation design director, Sue Evans

“We have a passion for beautiful design and when we saw the beautiful concept vision and ambition for the Beacon, we were very excited, because design is central to what is being created.

“The Beacon has so many different elements and we are aiming for each to be different but to work harmoniously together. Here we want to keep to the essence of the vision and in so doing create something special.”

Dave Burke of Hylgar Properties, the site’s owner and developer said: “Castree Design was a very easy choice to make. Not only are they highly experienced with a wealth of contacts, they are also well known for their attention to detail and the lengths they go to, to bring a brief to life."

“For us it’s also extremely important that they are local and have a passion for the area and a vested interest in delivering the best quality to a place which they too will enjoy in the years to come.”

According to Dave Burke works on the 1898 building are progressing well. He said: “It has been a challenging year, but despite the pandemic it’s all coming together, and excitement is growing.

“The restaurant and bar, a new build kitchen and a newly formed covered courtyard with kitchen space are taking shape on the ground floor, while the two-screen cinema on the first floor is looking good.”

The cinema, which will be independently operated, will screen a wide range of films, with latest mainstream releases screening alongside some of the best independent films from around the world.

Lucky Penny Consultants, Liverpool-based hospitality specialists, are assisting to deliver the creation and development of the food and drink offer planned for the Beacon.

The project is creating more than 140 jobs during design, construction and operation.

Since 2012, the Coastal Communities Fund has invested £228 million into 395 projects UK-wide.