We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the audio system specifiers and installers for this iconic site. The Anchor Bankside is one of London’s most famous pubs and has recently undergone a £1.6 million investment programme to sympathetically transform the pub into a flagship site for Spirit Group, the managed pub division of Punch Taverns.
Originally built in 1775, the Anchor sits on the site of a former brewery and is steeped in history having been used as a tavern, a chapel and a ship’s chandlery. Dr Johnson is thought to have written his dictionary in the pub’s rooms and the Anchor has also played host to well known visitors including Joshua Reynolds, Irish Poet Oliver Goldsmith, actor David Garrick and Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who filmed a scene of Mission Impossible at the pub.
The refurbishment has been thoughtfully designed to preserve the pub’s heritage and local interest, whilst complementing them with some innovative offers and new additions. Inside, the newly refurbished Anchor has been sympathetically restored with a modern touch. The design in the main bar area is based on a classic British pub theme, whilst the historic listed part of the building will remain in keeping with its original design.
The new Anchor now offers an expansive and bespoke menu in its specially-built fish and chip shop, giving customers the opportunity to enjoy traditional,freshly cooked fish and chips with a unique difference. Cooked on an innovative new Florigo five hand frying range, customers are able to choose from a wide range of battered fish, in addition to a healthier option of a grilled daily special. All battered fish is prepared in traditional beef dripping, giving that real chip shop feel, rather than using cooking oil.
The fish and chip offer is also complemented by a quality pub fayre menu including traditional British favourites such as pie and mash, sausage and mash and a Sunday roast. To take full advantage of its prime location on the side of the Thames, the Anchor also features extensive al fresco dining areas, including a roof garden with BBQ area and a large riverside patio on the banks of the river. The pub offers in excess of 640 covers.
To cater for tourists and office workers, the Anchor includes a traditional Tea Room, named after Dr Johnson, offering a classic afternoon tea, cakes, pastries, teas and coffees. A connecting coffee shop offers take away teas, Fairtrade coffees, ice creams and snacks to go. Andrew Knight, Managing Director of Spirit Group comments: “The Anchor, Bankside is one of our most prestigious and historic pubs and we wanted to do something special with it. We have taken some of our most famous British offerings – fish and chips and afternoon tea – and given them a modern twist that will make the Anchor quite unique in the marketplace”. He added; “We wanted to make the most of the Anchor’s fantastic location and cater for the varied needs of its customers. It will now offer something for everyone throughout the day, from take-away coffee and bacon rolls in the morning, to a traditional fish and chip lunch, a cream tea or a Pimm’s on the roof garden in the evening. It’s great to see such a fantastic London pub restored to its former glory.”
TSG were involved early in the refurbishment discussions and specified an audio system and entertainment offer that met the City Metropolitan brand performance standard. Utilising our promedia MMS system and 42 Bose loudspeakers spread across nine different trading zones, and in addition robust visual equipment for their conference room, we have provided a high standard of musicality and clarity for their visitors.
The music profile for the bar and restaurant areas has been designed to promote a ‘Cafe Bar’ feel and features chilled-out soul, cool adult rock and contemporary jazz tracks.
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