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An Interview With Katrina
Three months after The Big Chill Bar threw open its doors for Big Chill vibes all year round, seven days a week, we thought it high time we quizzed Big Chill co-director Katrina about how it came about, where on earth she got that huge bull's head which hangs spectacularly on the wall and what running a bar is really like.How did you first get the idea for a Big Chill Bar?
We've wanted a bar for years!
When and why did you decide to go for it?
Last May Nigel, one of my fellow directors, found a bar and put the idea forward. It was a natural progression for us - a chance to book music throughout the year and create an all year round home for The Big Chill. It seems quite simple looking back.
What made you choose the current location?
Nigel always has his eyes out for spaces and ideas that might work and with this space we loved the fact that Dray Walk is a pedestrian road and we could encourage a cafe society. Brick Lane is vibrant and with Sunday Markets around the corner plus diverse independent shops it felt like a great place to call home.
How have you changed the bar from what is looked like previously?
It looked like an NCP car park. So, yes, it's changed radically!
Who's responsible for the look, and what effect are you after?
We started with a shell of a bar and over a month transformed the space. I treated the design of the space as I would a space I had to live in. Comfort, Warmth and Softening of the space were key. We wanted to build a space that was relaxing and thought we could encourage this by building lower furniture. We also wanted a real communal sitting area and Robbie, who works with Caro at the festival, built us the low level long seating. He also added curves above the seating to help mellow the area. We softened the space with fabrics on the ceilings in gold and the longest wall in cream pleated fabrics. I also felt using fabrics would reflect the festival decor.
Andrew Palmer from Department of Design co-ordinated the mad month of design so we would have the doors open as The Big Chill Bar by the Monday after the festival. He lived there for the month. He bought the shelves from the old British Library and turned them into our long table tops. He managed to hang Michael Delusha's 'Filthy Pig' bull's head installation by the front doors which weighs 14 stone and is made of concrete. We bought it from The Royal College of Art Degree show.
Over the next month Caro is overseeing the final first phase of design. I think I'll have itchy fingers then and will want to continuously look for oddities for our bar. Watch this space.
What were your main aims with the bar?
A fine place for Big Chillers to hang out. Quality.
Have you had a good response to the bar so far? What's been your favourite response?
Yes, especially from people who saw the original space. It's always good that people never seem to want to leave.
Which has been your favourite night so far?
Too many now. Every time I walk in the door I meet someone I know. Yes, it's the Big Chill's answer to 'Cheers'. The Peel tribute night we held Friday 29th October was something very, very special.
Does it bother you if people go to the bar and don't actually know they're in the 'Big Chill' bar?
No not at all, as long as they're part of the vibe. The Big Chill has never been into exclusivity.
Do you have a hand in the food and the booze? What informs your decisions?
Henri comes up with the menu ideas. Etienne buys the drink and Richard knows a lot about drink and the rest of the BC crew drink it (just joking). We all have a look at the menus and put our thoughts in. I've been a vegetarian for 18 years so I usually sound like a broken record with them on the more veggie tip!
Is running a bar good fun or hard work?
Luckily, Sandra our Bar Manager is great and she really enjoys running the bar. I personally love it and haven't one complaint. I think I'll stay in this trade till I can't lift a glass!
You've got some unique art works on show - tell us about some of them.
We've just hung the BBCi Collective photographic competition winners from Eastnor 2004. There's the Filthy Pig installation (my favourite) I mentioned already. We commissioned one painting from Neil McFarland (Paris Hair) who worked with us at last year's art trail. And The Mirror installation at the very back of the bar is by Louise Jenkins.
What are your future plans for the bar?
We've got very exciting plans for early 2005... I'm bursting to tell, but can't just yet. Just watch this space...
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Written: 26th Nov, 04
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