I STARTED OUT WORKING ON EARLY DESIGN PROJECTS INCLUDING MANTO, PARADISE FACTORY, AND SANKEY'S SOAP IN THE SACHA AND VINCENT ERA.  AT THE TIME THERE WAS A SMALL GROUP OF POST 80’S CLUBBERS MOVING ON FROM THE HANGOVER AND OPENING FORWARD THINKING VENUES.

THE BURGEONING NORTHERN QUARTER WAS HOME TO A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS RUNNING COMPANIES LIKE FAT CITY RECORDS, EAR TO THE GROUND, TWISTED NERVE, AND GRAND CENTRAL RECORDING’S; I WORKED FROM A MASSIVE WAREHOUSE SPACE I SHARED WITH THE LEGENDARY CLUB NIGHT ELECTRIK CHAIR.

ALONGSIDE DESIGNING INTERIORS I ENDED UP OPENING A LITTLE BACK STREET BAR CALLED CORD WITH TWO FRIENDS.  IT DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A SIGN FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS AND HAD THE PRESS SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS, ENDING UP IN MAGAZINES SUCH AS THE FACE & ARENA.  POST DRY 201, WE KICK STARTED THE NORTHERN QUARTER BAR SCENE. THIS LED TO ME ALSO OWNING CENTRO, THE RAMPANT LION, AND THOMAS RESTAURANT & BAR.

STEPPING AWAY FROM OPERATING BARS TO FOCUSING ON INTERIORS, I HAVE MORE RECENTLY BEEN INVOLVED IN MAKING MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION FIT FOR A STUDENT. AS WELL AS NUMEROUS PROJECTS WITH ROSS JOBE, AND LYNDON - BEHIND VENUES SUCH AS BLACK DOG, THE LIARS CLUB, AND CRAZY PEDRO’S.

IN BOTH DESIGNING AND OPERATING MY OWN VENUES, I HAVE A UNIQUE INSIGHT AND LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING IN WHAT MAKES PLACES ACTUALLY WORK AND HOW TO GENERATE TURNOVER MORE EFFECTIVELY.

I’M CURRENTLY BASED ON JACAMAR - MY 130FT YACHT MOORED IN SALFORD QUAYS (WHEN SHE IS NOT BEING USED BY CLIENTS.)