OUR Friday Love Local Business profile this week features a bistro inspired by the 1930s Art Deco railway cafes and restaurants.
Centenary Lounge opened in Worcester two years ago in The Cross, 10 years after the original business founded by Aasia Baig launched in Birmingham.
The bistro serves breakfast, brunch, light bites, all-day dining and afternoon teas and there is also a cocktail and wine bar.
The Art Deco restaurant on the ground floor
Aasia said: “Our venue is perfect for events with a difference, staying true to our Art Deco-inspired interiors. Our food and drink is available via deliveries, takeaways and now click and collect which is great for when you’re in a rush or working in the city.
“During the lockdown we launched our hamper and giftware range using produce from local producers and suppliers which is now available nationally through our online shop.”
The dining room on the first floor
The Worcester branch was shortlisted for the global Restaurant and Bar Design Awards 2020 in two categories; Cafe (UK) and Heritage Building (UK).
Aasia added: “One of our very proudest moments is when Sir William McAlpine endorsed our giftware in 2012 as he loved how true they were to the originals.
“And Joe Loundy, who was the president of the International Coalition of Art Deco Societies, paid Centenary Lounge Birmingham a visit a few years ago.
“Joe had a short stop in the UK on his way to a Paris Exhibition, and on his list of Art Deco places to visit was Centenary Lounge – he was in absolute awe of the attention to detail we had applied to the 2009 fit-out.
The bar complete with Victorian tiles
“We have also been awarded the SBS award (Small Business Sunday) by Theo Paphitis. As you can see I love design and architecture as well as hospitality!”
Centenary Lounge is housed in a 1730s Grade II-listed Georgian building, which has had major work to bring it back to life and to bring the entire building into good use.
The focal point in the restaurant is a stunning helical staircase, inspired by the Queen Mary ocean liner staircase, which connects seamlessly the two floors (ground floor with new Art Deco interiors and first floor with original Georgian panelling and fireplace) which are from two different periods.
This building is set out over five floors and has four staircases in total, including the original Georgian staircase.
The Art Deco lighting
Eye-catchingly, the first floor fireplace seems to be floating in mid-air as the chimney breast was removed from the ground floor in the 1930s it is believed H Samuels carried out some major renovation works.
To complete the look, the Victorian tiled wall uncovered during the renovations, has been retained behind the bar.
It is thought this was installed by Parsons who were greengrocers in the building at the turn of the last century.
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