A carefully considered combination of flooring, entrance matting, stair edgings and LED step lighting from Gerflor UK and Gradus has helped bring new life to The Bell on Mulnestrete, a newly refurbished hospitality venue in Congleton. Steeped in local history, the building has previously served as a coach house, mortuary and public house before being sympathetically transformed into a modern food and drinks venue complete with live music events and future plans for boutique hotel accommodation.

The refurbishment carefully balances the character of the original building with a warm, contemporary hospitality interior. Exposed brickwork, open timber beams, Victorian green metro tiles and brass detailing all contribute towards the venue’s distinctive atmosphere, creating a space that feels both authentic and refined.

To complement the wider design scheme, a range of Gerflor flooring solutions were selected throughout the venue, including Creation 55 Dry Back LVT, Creation 70 MegaClic LVT and Tarasafe Ultra safety vinyl flooring. Gradus Boulevard entrance matting, GR91 stair edging and new BLXT20R Satin Bronze LED step lighting were also installed to provide practical performance benefits while enhancing the premium aesthetic of the refurbishment.

Within the restaurant area, Gerflor Creation 55 Dry Back LVT in the Versailles Honey design was chosen to create a warm and welcoming dining environment. Its modern interpretation of classic timber works alongside the interior palette introducing texture and character without overpowering the original architectural features.

Different flooring finishes were used throughout the venue to help subtly define individual hospitality spaces while maintaining visual consistency across the wider interior scheme. Gerflor Creation 70 MegaClic in Oxyd Pure was installed within a connecting corridor area between the bar and restaurant to support the venue’s contemporary industrial-inspired styling.

Tarasafe Ultra safety vinyl flooring in Obsidian was selected for the kitchen, behind the bar and in toilet areas where durability, slip safety and ease of maintenance were essential requirements within a busy hospitality environment. Discussing the refurbishment, pub owners Stuart and Phil Humphrey explained that retaining the character of the building while creating a high-quality hospitality destination was central to the project vision.

“We wanted to create somewhere that respected the history and character of the building whilst still feeling modern, welcoming and practical for customers,” they said. “The combination of finishes throughout the venue has really helped achieve that balance. The flooring works naturally with the exposed brickwork, beams and brass detailing and gives each area its own identity whilst still feeling connected as one venue.”

The specification of the Gradus products also played an important role within the overall customer experience. Boulevard 6000 entrance matting in Nightfall was installed at the main entrance to help manage dirt and moisture ingress while maintaining a clean and professional appearance from the moment guests arrive.

Throughout various stair areas, Gradus BLXT20R Satin Bronze LED step lighting was installed to introduce subtle feature lighting alongside improved visibility and safety. The warm bronze finish complements the wider brass detailing used throughout the venue, helping to reinforce the premium hospitality aesthetic.

In addition, Gradus GR91 stair edging was installed on the main staircase connecting the bar with the pub’s office space, staff facilities and planned future accommodation. Featuring a standard PVC insert in a Canvas finish, the nosing was selected to coordinate with the dark green carpet used on the stairs, helping to maintain a cohesive and considered interior scheme whilst also enhancing safety for building users.

Nick Ferguson from Gerflor and Gradus commented: “Hospitality projects increasingly require products that combine design flexibility with long-term performance and practicality. At The Bell on Mulnestrete, the selected Gerflor and Gradus solutions work together to support the overall interior concept whilst also delivering the durability, safety and maintenance benefits required within a busy food and drink environment. The finished result is a venue that successfully blends heritage character with a modern hospitality experience.”