The Smugglers Cove on Liverpool's Albert Dock offers world famous rums, beers, ciders, ales, finest champagnes and an intruiging rum-based cocktail menu. Diners can choose from a deli-style menu with rotisserie, barbecue and home comforts. And with live music every night, The Smugglers Cove is a concept unlike anything else.

The Challenge

Part of the New World Trading Company, The Smugglers Cove is located in a 19th century Grade 1 listed former warehouse building on Liverpool's historic Albert Dock.

Design company Paul Danson Imagineering were inspired by historic travellers of the seas and smugglers and wanted to create a theatrical themed interior, with all of the fittings looking like they had been reclaimed from the water, brought back to Liverpool by travellers.

Paul Danson Imagineering, who have worked with Chantelle Lighting on a number of pub and restaurant projects, approached them with their nautical themed ideas for the new nightspot.

The Solution

Sarah de Freitas, who worked on the project for Paul Danson Imagineering, spoke to Chantelle Lighting about their ideas for using genuine maritime materials including driftwood, rope and empty rum bottles to create a treasure trove of naval inspired fittings.

Chantelle Lighting's Managing Director, Anthony Holly, worked with Paul Danson Imagineering to develop the brief, sourcing a  genuine ship anchor which would form the main feature at The Smugglers Cove.

Sarah said: "Anthony is fantastic at listening to a brief, sourcing the exact items you are imagining, and and then turning crazy ideas into something ideas into something realistic. By hanging netting, rope, shells and other items found in the water to the anchor we created a truly unique lighting feature which looks like it has just been pulled up from the water in the Albert Dock."

The Result

The result was a venue which looks like it is full of genuine artefacts brought home by smugglers and sailors. The modern yet rustic venue is brought to life by a number of feature lights.

"I love the end result, especially the Baronial Room which, with its huge chandelier, would be the perfect location for a ship's captain returning from his travels to have a drink of rum."

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