The award-winning interior design company, Newman Gauge lists some of the biggest leisure brand names among its client list – and it’s easy to see why

Birmingham-based Newman Gauge has been delivering award-winning creative interior design for more than two decades. And if you want proof of the cutting edge ethos behind the Jewellery Quarter team, look no further than Grand Central’s dramatic Holy Moly Macaroni mac and cheese eatery.

The restaurant, which opened last summer, boasts dramatic New York Harlem street style and American soul and funk with exposed reclaimed brickwork, graffiti and makeshift materials, alongside American basketball fences and disco neon.

Holy Moly is just one of a diverse portfolio of top clients who Newman Gauge have worked with. The firm, headed by directors Brian Gauge, Sam Stokoe and Scott Parker, has used an adaptability in fusing the needs of the client with the desires of the end user to forge long-standing relationships with prestigious brands across a variety of sectors. These include hotel and spa operators, retailers, publicans, national restaurant chains, hospitality, leisure and healthcare. Newman Gauge has worked for the likes of Warner Leisure Hotels, Marston’s, Butlin’s, Holiday Inn, Aldi, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Center Parcs, Fuller’s and Las Iguanas to name but a few…

Design director Sam Stoke said: “We understand how design can influence people’s emotions and how you can maximise the commercial opportunities by directing the customer experience. We are proud to have a reputation as true partners who support the client and professional team throughout every step of a development. Our collective experience spans over 100 years in commercial interior design and project management, where we have forged a reputation for turning big ideas into real results.”

The team at Newman Gauge currently numbers 12 – small enough, says Sam, to retain a really close working bond across the business but big enough to handle major briefs and develop original ideas for leading clients. “I know I am biased,” said Sam, “but we get amazing feedback from the people we work with. We are in a competitive business but we are extremely creative and have great talent in using the latest technology.”

Sam cites one client Newman Gauge worked with in the pub/drinks market. The client wanted something ‘cool’ and suggested a large digital wall in their outlet. “We thought, oh noooo,” said Sam. “It wasn’t an original idea and it wasn’t the right environment either. We got thinking about creating something different and interesting around using current and conductivity.” The team came up with ‘gadget info’ panels in each booth – backlit stylish wood panels, each with a sheet of ultra thin metal behind, which customers could touch to display a variety of messages and requests to pub staff. The walls also allowed customised colouration and lighting. Original, dramatic, practical – and a great conversation piece!

As much as 80 per cent comes via repeat business with some clients remaining with Newman Gauge for 20 years. “They trust us and know that we will also push the boundaries while knowing what they want,” said Sam. Developing relationships, both existing and new ones, is key and can be seen in the likes of work carried out for big names such as Center Parcs. Newman Gauge was responsible for completing two projects for the leisure giant at its popular Woburn and Longford Forest sites.

“At any one time we have 20 or 30 projects, a mix of smaller and larger briefs,” said Sam. At the time of writing, the larger projects included the 229-bedroom Curio Hotel for Hilton in London’s Kensington and work at Studley Castle Hotel, Warwickshire for Warner Leisure Hotels.

Sam said: “Moving forward, we intend to keep doing what we are doing with a great mix of hotels and restaurants, leisure and spas and retail. We have a fantastic team who always look to push the boundaries beyond current trends. Our awards and national acclaim are a testament to the team’s commitment and experience.”