About >> Lounge Start

Purchased on 1st September 2003, an ambitious renovation programme began immediately with a five week contract period the target. The works actually took 40 days which was remarkable considering the site had lain empty for 17 years. A team of quality tradesmen worked everyday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with my family and friends effectively making a secondary team, coming in at 8 p.m. finishing sometimes at 3 or 4 a.m., carrying out the labour intensive jobs (stripping all the timbers, cleaning the mosaic floors, stripping the woodchip etc.)

The renovation of Lounge was more of a journey than a job, a very humbling experience personally, as people quite literally came out of the woodwork. Close friends stood side by side with new staff, acquaintances, family and staff I had not seen for ages. The one common factor was to help achieve my goal and quite simply it could not have been done without perspiration and inspiration.

On the 12th November 2003, we opened the bar and restaurant and traded at unparalleled levels instantly. We had more than 1,000 Christmas bookings prior to opening. The first six months success allowed the function room and club investment, next the roof terrace.