Bbi Update News
11/12/09
Bbi creates new destination venue for WRU
Brecon-based Beacons Business Interiors (Bbi) has completed a major design and build project for the interior of the new Welsh Rugby Union facility at the entrance to the Millennium Stadium on Westgate Street, Cardiff.
The new venue, renamed The Cardiff Arms, is located in the grade II listed former Yates Bar and houses a new retail unit, tour facility and a cafe bar.
The project stretches over three floors including an operational basement and spans over 1,150 sq metres. The main focal point of the space is the new rugby memorabilia-themed cafe bar which will cater for 180 covers as well as being available to hire for corporate functions.
Visitors waiting for tours of the Stadium will be taken to the ‘briefing room’, a specially designed area with changing room-style bleachers and 2.7m high graphic walls depicting stars and sporting achievements from Joe Calzache to Take That. The building also boasts a rugby educational area to engage children, with interactive educational spaces.
Bbi handled the interior design and fit out for all public-facing facilities, as well as all mechanical and electrical specifications and the creation of a rugby educational area. Through-out the project they have been working alongside appointed architects for the project, Gaunt Francis.
Bbi has completed the complex fit out in 10 weeks ensuring the facility was ready for the autumn rugby internationals
Steve Lesbirel, group managing director for Bbi, said:
"We are delighted to be working once again with the WRU on such an exciting project. What would have normally been a straight-forward fit-out has been made fairly complex by the constraints of the building being listed, the state of the dilapidation and when we started work the tight timeframe to complete the job. Our design and its implementation respects and effectively incorporates the original features of the building while at the same time creating a modern public space that reflects WRU's brand values."
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis, said:
"This new space has been a long time coming. We had previously been operating our retail operation out of a portakabin and did not have an associated bar outside the ground. We are confident that this new facility will become a great destination for rugby fans, whether it's a match day or not. Bbi managed the design and build of our new offices in the Stadium in 2008. We were impressed with how they interpreted our values and objectives and wanted the same outcome for this facility."
Bbi worked with the WRU in 2008 to design its state-of-the-art offices at the Millennium Stadium. Previously positioned at various locations in and around Cardiff, Bbi helped the WRU unite all key Cardiff-based departments in a new 6,842 square foot facility.
