Big update on the space
There’s so much going on at the moment, I wish you could get it all at the source like some weird VR experience.
That’s what I’ve been trying to do with all these blogs and emails, but while I’m trying to LOG all of this stuff, I’m also really busy DOING THE THING.
And trying to exist as a human in and amongst all of this. Eh???
So, where are we?
If anyone has bumped into me over February, you’ll know I’ve been a bit panicked about progress - save for a bit of paint going up on the walls nothing felt to be changing.
Panic! At the printers.
UNTIL recently, really. Don’t want to speak TOO highly of this guy but ‘Handy Man’ Ben Westerman turned up and has really cracked on over the last week or two. Thornton local. Bradford legend. Everyone seems to know his dad.
Here’s what he’s been doing:
MAIN FLOOR
Ink build-up on the old boards
We’ve had this beautifully rustic floor that unfortunately has to be covered with something more suited to high traffic and regular cleaning. I had initially hoped to restore these boards but they’ve been destroyed with years of oil and ink from the printers. Beautiful, nonetheless and I’ve kept hold of a few relics we had to remove to level everything properly and there are plans to re-introduce some of this charm with @BJthebear in a few weeks.
Besides handling all the floor prep in the main room, he’s built in some stairs up to the studio space and is working on a reception desk that doubles up as a DJ booth. Room enough for a couple of decks and a mixer when there’s a night on. Is “decks” the right word? Still learning the ways.
INTRODUCTION OF FIT-FOR-A-PINT SURFACES
There’s been this ledge running along the left wall as you walk into the main space. Not really enough for anything other than to box some cabling in. Ben’s brought that out to fit a pint glass on (important) and we’ll be tiling it in a week or two.
THE BACK
This is the tattoo area. Walls are basically done save for a big space for a mural (I think?) Anyway. Flooring up there has been a real challenge. Waves of concrete like you wouldn’t believe. Absolutely had to be properly levelled. Had a mate come in and have a crack, but it just wouldn’t seem to set. Literally surfed through it on several occaisions. Ended up with screeding up the walls, in my shoe, everywhere but set to the floor.
In the end I bit the bullet and got a couple of specialists in just yesterday, they boxed the area and pumped 17 bags of latex screeding in from a mixer outside. Looks fantastic. Like ganache. Ben is also impressed save for the boys nicking his bucket.
STILL TO COME
Not to get too ahead of ourselves as there’s definitely another blog in this, the next job for Ben is restoring the shop frontage and making the stairs to the basement a bit safer, all in time for…
OPENING NIGHT
The plan is… next month. That’s right. I’m supposed to open. NEXT MONTH.
I’ll be throwing up a massive SAVE THE DATE in my next email which is due to go out on Sunday. Make sure you’re subscribed. The box is on the homepage.
Anyway. Better go make my tea.
Thanks for being here.
And bigger thanks to Ben and everyone else who is helping me navigate these waters. Anchors. Sails. Seagulls.
Properly could not do this without you.
Love.
Amz