Olympics mean prestige design contract for Staffordshire firm

The London Olympics have resulted in a prestigious night club design contract for a Staffordshire creative firm.

Rugeley-based GMP Design has been drafted in to redesign the interior of the iconic Rex Bar in Stratford, just a stone’s throw from the new Olympic Stadium. The nightclub and bar is preparing expecting a huge increase in trade as athletes and Olympic visitors flock to the area.

The GMP plans for the club, in Stratford High Street include the complete refurbishment of the buildings main interior space into a multi-functional venue, a new wine bar, a tapas restaurant, a nightclub, a basement R&B club, a VIP area and a press bar.

The club is in one of the most distinctive buildings in Stratford High Street. The 1930s listed art deco edifice is a former theatre. It has become one of East London’s most popular nightspots with live acts and top DJs reinforcing its reputation as London’s foremost drum and bass venue.

GMP Design, on the Towers Business Park, was established by Rugeley businessman Neil Morten 20 years ago. It has become one of the UK’s leading bar, restaurant and club interior design companies, with major contracts throughout the UK, Europe and the Far East.

The company has worked on numerous concepts and venues around the world including the international rollout of the world famous Ministry of Sound nightclubs, with venues in Bangkok, Singapore, Egypt, London and Taiwan.

Neil Morton said, “This is a prestigious contract to get off the back of the huge volumes of business that venues in and around the Olympic stadia and village are expecting during the games. The fact that it was a listed building brought its own challenges.”