Gas Street Social to launch at the Mailbox.
Work has begun on the new bar and restaurant Gas Street Social, which is set to open at the Mailbox in March.
After fighting off competition from some of the UK’s leading restaurant chains, the team behind Shaker Group, a bar consultancy, training and events company which helped to train staff at the popular Lost & Found in Birmingham, has secured the 4,300 sq ft former Bar Room Bar site for a £750,000 refurbishment.
Inspired by the industrial and cultural context of Birmingham’s rich history, the prominent restaurant and bar will serve up a seasonal taste of home comforts and European sharing cuisine, alongside a speciality drinks menu. Gas Street Social will also offer a tantalising classic cocktail menu, featuring handcrafted signature creations and sharing drinks created by the award winning team at Shaker Consultancy.
The Shaker Group, which is made up of husband and wife team Adam and Theresa Freeth, has also appointed local award-winning designers Spencer Swinden, known for its local work at Pure Bar & Kitchen and the Plough in Harborne, to deliver unique character to the canalside venue with an industrial glamour.
Centred on the concept of sharing and socialising, Gas Street Social can accommodate up to 120 diners in the restaurant area, as well as boasting a large bar area and outdoor terrace for up to 36 people, positioning itself as a versatile venue for small parties and large groups.
The venue has already garnered support from the Regional Growth Fund, which has seen the Birmingham Post, and its partner Bournville College, award Gas Street Social with a grant of £100,000. Designed to help businesses grow and to support the local economy, the grant has enabled Gas Street Social to create 35 new jobs in the area. The team has also committed to working closely with Bournville College and will be investing £50,000 in a world class training program to help recruit and train their entire team.
Adam Freeth, managing director of Shaker Group and founder of Gas Street Social, said: “We are delighted to be amongst such great company here at the Mailbox, and as a Birmingham based company, we’re excited to be opening this venue on home soil. We’ve brought together a fantastic team to create an incredible design and food and beverage offer, which we believe will be a great addition to the new Mailbox and Birmingham’s world-class culinary scene.”
David Pardoe, retail manager at the Mailbox, added: “Gas Street Social is a fantastic addition to our existing food and drink offering, which has continued to thrive throughout our redevelopment. Offering something new to our visitors that can’t be found anywhere else in the Midlands, the venue is reflective of the Mailbox’s status as a luxury retail and leisure destination, which we can’t wait to re-launch this spring.”
