The Pier House

The Pier House, a beloved Grade II listed inn and pub overlooking Charlestown’s Georgian harbor, suffered devastating fire damage in January 2023. Eighteen months of restoration ensued, in St Austell Brewery’s largest refurbishment to date. Concorde BGW led the architectural and interior design. As the Catering sub-contractor, Space Group was entrusted with fully refurbishing both bar areas and a complete back-of-house kitchen.

The site comprised older historic buildings, necessitating work within awkward, tightly framed, listed building constraints while still delivering high-volume hospitality flow.

In the two front-of-house areas, the Pier House Bar and Harbourside Bar & Pizzeria, we:

• Fully designed, bespoke manufactured, and installed the two bar zones
• Engineered heavy-duty sub-structures, leveraging our in-house fabrication capacity
• Under bar fabrications, ice-chest housing, speed rails, and bespoke glass racks
• Integrated glass wash stations in both areas, responding to the high-flow, high-volume brief

Despite the building’s uneven floor levels and listed restrictions, we achieved clean alignments and seamless installation that honoured the overall design while ensuring long-term operational efficiency.

In response to the client’s brief, Space Group was also tasked with reimagining the kitchen layout to ensure peak operational efficiency within the limited space available. Our approach focused on integrating energy-efficient and high-performance equipment to support high-volume service while maintaining quality food.

To fulfil this, we specified energy-efficient and high-performance equipment such as:

• Fryers with built-in filtration systems, which can extend oil life and reduce maintenance, ensuring consistent food quality and operational cost savings
• Ware washing that carries an Energy Plus rating with heat recovery to minimise energy consumption and enhance cleaning efficiency
• Synergy grill and combination oven cooking technology to support high throughput by utilising their rapid cooking capabilities and reduced energy usage, aligning with the site’s high-demand requirements

The kitchen works we completed included:

• Full Layout Redesign: We reconfigured the kitchen layout to optimise workflow
• Equipment Installation: We installed a new cookline and extraction system
• Dedicated Storage: We established a dedicated larder and dry store, supported by a walk-in fridge/freezer
• Service Area: This included a wash-up area and service pass, facilitating organised and swift service

By meticulously planning and implementing these enhancements, we have enabled a resilient and efficient kitchen operation capable of meeting the site’s busy footfall.

Through thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship, Space Group has played a pivotal role in restoring The Pier House to its former glory. Our commitment to quality and efficiency ensures that this historic venue continues to serve as a cherished landmark in Charlestown for years to come.”