31K is the brainchild of Cory Chadwick, Will Chambers, Joe Hague, Scott Atchison, and Lau Wensink, who signed the lease for the space on Friday (6th July). The group have been working together for the past four years with a desire to open a bar venue, and have been working on this space for the past 5 months. As a former tool shop, there is certainly plenty of work to be done, but there is also heaps of character to work with and highlight.
“It used to be an old tool shop called T.S Kays and Sons. There are still some remnants left of it, like the glass stained windows up top that still have the name and the address on it – 31 Kays – which is actually how we got our name 31K. The shop front needs a lot of work so we are taking the whole thing out, but we are restoring as much as we can – restoring all of the glass stained window.”
Lau Wensink“The property sits in Hockley, which is fast becoming an up and coming area thanks to investment in Sneinton Market and other new venues, which are bringing foot traffic and evening trade to the area. The location is perfect. With enough investment, we can make a real difference to the area.”
LauThe building itself has been owned by several different people over the years and was in the council’s possession until Leslie Mann took it on with CPA acting as Asset Managers for the property. 31K’s home was already sublet and was going to be made into a bar and restaurant previously, however the plans were pulled out of. It was then empty for just over a year until 31K moved in, and the business now has a 12 year lease.
The Goosegate property is certainly full of potential, which the group quickly realised. On the search for the perfect property.
“We actually looked at next door first but it was just a really awkward shape for us and goes down over many levels. We didn’t see how we could do anything with it. Then we walked into this place, and by the space and the grandeur, and the feeling you get from the high ceiling, straight away I fell in love. We’ve been working on this for 5 or 6 months now and today is the day we will be signing for it officially – even though we have had the keys for about 6 weeks. As of tomorrow will be in here labouring.””
LauUpon entering it is planned that a small stage and bar will be on the left, and some seating will be available in the main body of the bar. A mezzanine is also to be built – which is actually being constructed next week (19th-20th July) – to really take advantage of the height of the space.
There is to be a balcony, which will provide a great view over the bar, space for private hire and hold 30 to 50 people. Stairs will lead down to a basement level which will also be hireable and hold 20 to 50 people. It will be a speakeasy style and be made up of half soft seating and half hard seating with table tops for eating. In total, the venue’s capacity is to be between 120 and 180. The bar is to have a New York inspired food and drink selection.
The rest of the building is in talks to become offices, placing the bar in an even more desirable location for customers.
“The firm is delighted as the building represents what appears to be a record rent for the area. We’ve been asset managing the building for the client who had a long-standing disagreement with some tenants on the upper floor which CPA resolved amicably. The plan is to refurbish the development which will bring high-class offices to the area and there are also plans to improve the front of the building which has looked run down. 31K is trading as 31K and the group’s business is registered as Zeus Bar Limited. A Kickstarter is to be set up, not to fund the bar but to allow people to be a part of the project. The bar is to open on 31st August to sponsors and press on the 1st September. The team want to open more bars after 31K – as Lau said: “This is our first bar and will be one of many.”
Daniel Hawkins, Managing Director at CPA and Associates and Asset Manager for the buildingInformation source: East Midlands Business Link
