Working with designers at Ferrious, Zouk has transformed a once windy corner into a stylish and tranquil haven with a state of the art terrace where you can relax, eat, drink or enjoy a sheesha.
Understanding what customers want has been at the heart of the new terrace design
With an investment of approximately £200,000 the terrace has been a significant project for the company. Owner Mudassar Amjad explains ‘When we first began offering outdoor dining I think it was fair to say that it was a bit of an add on to the restaurant. We created a standard decking space with tables, chairs and parasols but we were never happy with it. We felt the area we had created did not live up to the rest of the restaurant.’ Understanding what customers want has been at the heart of the new terrace design, Mudassar added ‘our customers expect to come to Zouk and eat in style and that should go for both indoors and out. The new terrace is fantastic as it shows that we have listened to our customers to ensure we that when they choose to dine at Zouk we offer them the best outdoor dining space in Manchester. Reinvestment in the business is very important to us.’
Commenting on the new terrace his brother and co-owner Tayub Amjad added ‘everybody loves to eat outdoors but we Brits do not get chance as often as we might like. When we decided to reinvent the terrace we enlisted expert help and considered carefully what we needed to make it work all year round. We had to make it practical and combat the challenges of the unpredictable British weather but still ensure the space was flexible, luxurious and suitable for other popular outdoor activities like enjoying a sheesha.’
The stylish new Zouk terrace is covered by a sophisticated retractable roof canopy system that can be individually controlled across the 3 terrace sections offering lots of flexibility for the service staff and customers. The roof, in combination with a new glazing system that sits on top of planting troughs, now provides a fully sheltered space that offers outdoor luxury all year round. Ferrious Designer, Rob Perry, worked closely with brothers Tayub and Mudassar on the project. He explains the design; ‘We had to create an aesthetic and layout that encompassed the quality of the existing interior. Tayub and Mudassar had lots of ideas from spaces they had seen during travels in Europe, America and the Middle East but one thing was clear they wanted the space to transport you somewhere else and almost have a holiday feel to it. Privacy from passing traffic and distinction from the bustling street were also key considerations to the design. Essentially we had to deliver Tayub and Mudassar’s vision of a fully covered flexible space allowing high quality dining and lounge spaces to enjoy the range of services on offer. ’
The result is remarkable, as you approach the terrace the first impression is of the central feature, a full height column housing the elegant illuminated restaurant signage and wrapping around the terrace. The effect is a dramatic, covered entrance. Clad in bamboo planking and adorned with exotic bamboos and palms at the foot, this is a simple but beautifully executed space. Charming upholstery in a sophisticated palette, through fixed and loose cushions, ensures optimum comfort through the whole terrace. As you enter the terrace area, low level fixed planting troughs run into the space allowing a series of private dining booths to be available before you step up to the private VIP booth. In addition to the VIP booth there is a separate sheesha area with relaxed lounge seating ensuring that the enjoyment of sheesha does not interfere with the outdoor diners in the main space.
Commenting further Rob Perry said ‘The simple palette of rich bamboo and brass combined with the cool grey canopy and floor finish offers sophistication and elegance. This is softened by the architectural planting that defines the space, while creating drama and seclusion from the outside elements.
The final design of the terrace certainly underlines the Zouk ethos, opulence and understated luxury using the best quality exotic materials. This means that customers who visit Zouk can enjoy food, drink and sheesha outdoors every day of the year!
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