BGN, the Manchester-based brand-led design and digital agency, has created the new brand for Black Cat Club, the latest opening from the Mills Hill Development Ltd team behind El Gato Negro, Canto and Habas.
Black Cat Club is a new concept and is on the former site of Habas on Brown Street, a modern Middle Eastern-influenced restaurant that closed last year. Black Cat Club is a dynamic fusion of interactive shuffleboard and darts games, vinyl DJs, cocktails, live sports and a small plates menu curated by chef, Simon Shaw.
BGN was appointed in October 2023 and has worked closely with the Black Cat Club team to create a brand that draws visual inspiration from much-loved sister restaurant, El Gato Negro, by incorporating its iconic cat emblem.
Through illustration, BGN has developed club style stickers which are reminiscent of sports badges and “a palette that reflects the restaurant’s vibrant social atmosphere.”
The new brand will be used across all assets including the website, venue signage, interiors, menus and marketing materials.
David Newton, creative director at BGN, said: “It’s been fantastic to work with the team on the new brand for Black Cat Club. It’s a stunning place so we wanted to create an innovative brand concept that set a new standard in the restaurant space and that really resonated with the Manchester community.”
Lucy Silcock, operations manager at MHDL, added: “When we first approached BGN with our concept, we couldn’t possibly have imagined this finished brand design. They took all our ideas, good and bad, and managed to make this sleek, sophisticated brand concept that we are unbelievably excited to be opening with. Having a brand that you are confident with, makes the world of difference to the launch. We can’t wait to share this success with the team and watch it grow and develop in the future.”
BGN is now also retained to deliver ongoing design and digital services across the group’s entire portfolio of venues.
