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Interior design studio Other Side has brought Caravan’s renowned all-day dining concept to life in Manchester’s up-and-coming St. John’s neighbourhood, crafting a welcoming, adaptable space that reflects both Caravan’s laid-back charm and New Zealand heritage. Known for their thoughtful, holistic approach to design, Other Side has seamlessly blended Caravan’s identity with Manchester’s vibrant culture, creating a venue that embodies both authenticity and character.

“This project was about evolving Caravan’s identity in a way that feels true to its roots, while adding something unique to Manchester,” explains Gavin Mayaveram, founder of Other Side. “We wanted to create a space that feels energetic yet relaxed and intimate, where guests can transition effortlessly from morning coffee to evening cocktails and everything in-between.”

A collaborative journey: designing with no boundaries

From the outset, Other Side collaborated closely with Caravan’s founders and creative team, ensuring each detail captured the brand’s ‘no boundaries’ ethos, while also offering something unique to Manchester.

Drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s trail huts and wool sheds, and the building’s exposed services and concrete ceiling, the 6,600-square-foot venue comes alive through raw, tactile materials and carefully considered zoning. Through layered elements like sliding screens, timber dividers and organic planting, the design achieves a harmony that subtly delineates each area without breaking its natural flow. A quarry-tiled floor by Ketley Brick grounds the space with a rustic, textured finish, while natural timbers and a warm palette of burnt orange and mustard tones evoke New Zealand’s wild landscapes, crafting an aesthetic that feels both timeless and organic.

Crafting an authentic and tactile experience

The interiors reflect a careful blend of bespoke craftsmanship and thoughtfully sourced finishes, resulting in a space that feels both unique and lived-in. Two 4m long communal tables reflect Manchester’s community spirit and encourage shared dining. Crafted by Forest to Home, their organic waney edges add a lively, social energy, making each table a gathering spot for friends and guests alike. Toward the back, banquette and booth seating options offer a more relaxed, intimate atmosphere, adorned in heavily textured wool fabrics.

A central island cocktail bar serves as both a striking focal point and a natural divide between the bar serving coffee and cocktails and the main restaurant, with views through to the open kitchen pass, adding energy and theatre to the space. The bar front, clad in rustic terracotta-hued tiles, echoes the rugged corrugated panelling of New Zealand wool sheds and establishes a warm, inviting anchor at the heart of the space. A mix of materials adds layers of texture and intrigue, with a bespoke timber framework —reminiscent of wool huts—supporting the shelving. A zinc-topped bar bringing a touch of industrial charm, and a back bar featuring mirrored glass that adds depth and reflects the lively ambiance. Paired with leather bar stools in complementary tones, the bar combines craftsmanship with a theatrical, buzzing energy, making it a vibrant focal point within the venue.

A space that evolves with the seasons

Among the most striking design features is the fully retractable shopfront windows allowing the whole of the shopfront to open up, creating a seamless connection between the restaurant and the outdoors, while reflecting New Zealand’s emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. Knowing that Mancunians cherish every moment of sunshine, Other Side designed the space to seamlessly transition, allowing the venue to shift from a cosy, sheltered dining spot to a vibrant, sun-drenched destination. A double-sided fireplace at the heart of the dining area zones the space; a subtle feature which enhances the sense of ease and connection throughout the seasons.

The lighting design is thoughtfully layered to shape the atmosphere as the day unfolds, drawing on natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows along both external walls. As evening approaches, handmade leather pendants by Ted Todd cast a warm glow over the communal tables, while DCW lights above the bar and kitchen pass add an intimate warmth, highlighting key areas with a subtle touch.

Building community connections

Other Side’s holistic approach extends beyond the interior to embrace the local community. Collaborating with local suppliers for plants, lighting, and other design elements, the studio ensured the project supports Manchester’s creative economy. Flexible spaces within Caravan Manchester—including a listening room and private dining room—are designed to host local events, DJ sessions and workshops, positioning the venue as a vibrant community hub. The listening room, with bespoke plywood shelving layered with vinyl records and decks, offers a uniquely intimate experience, while the dedicated coffee roastery, exclusive to Caravan’s northern outpost, adds an industrial edge that complements the exposed services, raw concrete ceiling and retractable windows.

Laura Harper-Hinton, co-founder and CEO of Caravan, shares her excitement about the Manchester opening: “We’ve always believed in creating spaces that are welcoming and authentic. Working with Other Side has been an incredible experience —their ability to craft interiors that balance raw, honest materials with warmth and flexibility was exactly what we needed. Caravan Manchester feels like a natural evolution of our brand—relaxed, inclusive and ready to welcome everyone.”

Key suppliers:

• Forest to Home: large communal dining tables and PDR tables
• Contract Chair: dining chairs and bar stools
• Dodds and Shute: dining chairs, table tops and bases
• DCW: wall lights and pendants (above bar and kitchen finger tables)
• Ketley Brick: quarry floor and ‘chimney’ finish
• Ted Todd: leather pendant lighting
• Atlas: all fixed seating
• I Want Plants: all planting