A specialist North East commercial interior design company is driving forwards after successfully landing several big projects across the region.
Newcastle-based Bilateral Design was recently appointed as the lead concept designers for the interior leisure elements of ambitious plans to redevelop a Wallsend golf club into a 21st century leisure destination.
Plans have been submitted to turn Centurion Park, home of Wallsend Golf Club, into the home of the first UK branch of ‘Big Shots’, a US concept, which combines traditional golf with family entertainment and digital activities. The project will include a two-storey driving range, a new clubhouse and reconfigured 18-hole golf course, a training academy with PGA-accredited coaches, a new bar and restaurant, conference suites, golf shop and video technology golf games.
The Wallsend BigShots facility will be the first of 10 such driving ranges planned for the UK by Harrison Golf and Leisure with each centre following similar interior design to create a comprehensive nationwide brand.
Interior design specialists David King and business partner Christopher Sutton have been engaged to visualise the leisure facilities to make the environment a very family oriented and appealing space.
David King explained: “This is quite a step up for Bilateral Design in terms of its scale and concept. It’s a slight departure from our usual role as designers known for creating exciting dining and drinking environments in restaurants, bars and hotels.
“With Big Shots we will be helping to create an overall experience in a unique and exciting leisure development. This has the potential to become a huge new destination venue for Tyneside and the wider region.”
Bilateral are working closely with Chris Bar of Nicholson Nairn Architects, PGA Professional and CEO of Harrison Golf and Leisure Phil Harrison and his team, along with Chris and John Sanderson the businessmen and entrepreneurs driving the development
Christopher Sutton, of Bilateral Design, added: “This is a fantastic development to be involved with. We’re working alongside a traditional golf environment but designing an experience that will engage both families and golf fans alike. We’ll be incorporating a range of casual dining and drinking experiences while also providing cutting-edge facilities for corporate events.”
Bilateral Design has also started work on a residential and leisure project on a site in the west of Newcastle, but planning is still at a pre-consultation stage. The growth in work means the design consultancy – an umbrella brand for design firm Bar Hound and Collaborative Design – has recruited extra specialists to take the team to six-strong