The Crown & Thistle — Complete Pub & Bar Launch
Where Heritage Meets Modern Hospitality — a concept showcase demonstrating our full turnkey brand and design capability for pub transformations
This is a concept showcase demonstrating our methodology and design scope. It represents what we deliver for pub and bar launch clients.
What Does a Complete Pub Transformation Look Like?
The Crown & Thistle is a complete pub transformation concept — turning a struggling traditional local into a thriving destination gastropub. The rebrand balances heritage charm with contemporary design, creating a venue that honours British pub tradition while appealing to modern diners and craft beer enthusiasts. Every touchpoint — from the hand-painted exterior sign to the seasonal gastropub menu to the branded pint glasses — is designed to make this the pub people drive 30 minutes to visit.
A pub transformation is a unique challenge. You're not starting from scratch — you're honouring the character of a beloved local while completely reimagining its identity for a new era. There are cask ales and craft beers to showcase, a gastropub menu to engineer, a beer garden to brand, a snug to design, tap handles to create, pump clips to commission, quiz night posters to template, and a grand reopening campaign to plan. Most agencies wouldn't know where to start. We do — because we've done it.
This is 120+ individually designed deliverables across 8 phases. One agency. One cohesive brand system. Zero gaps.
Brand Identity
The Crown & Thistle's brand identity draws on the rich heritage of British pub culture — deep, warm tones, strong serif typography, hand-drawn thistle motifs, and a visual system that feels established and authentic from day one. The brand guidelines ensure consistency across everything from the hanging sign to the Instagram grid.
- Primary logo (horizontal lockup)
- Secondary logo (stacked/vertical)
- Icon mark (crown & thistle emblem)
- Wordmark only version
- Full colour, single colour, reversed, metallic (gold foil) versions
- Clear space rules, minimum size specs, misuse examples
- Primary colour palette (deep green, warm gold, burgundy — with HEX, RGB, CMYK, Pantone)
- Secondary colour palette (accent shades)
- Neutral palette (cream, charcoal, slate)
- Primary display typeface (heritage serif)
- Secondary body typeface (clean sans-serif)
- Full type hierarchy with specs
- Pattern & texture library (thistle motif, herringbone, hop vine)
- Brand story narrative
- Brand guidelines document (30+ pages)
Exterior & Signage
The transformation begins on the outside. From the classic hanging pub sign to the hand-painted fascia, frosted window vinyls, and a beer garden that makes passers-by stop and walk in — The Crown & Thistle's exterior was designed to signal "this isn't just a local, this is a destination" from 100 metres away.
- Exterior building rebrand concept (before/after)
- Hanging pub sign (traditional bracket with illumination)
- Main fascia sign (hand-painted lettering)
- Window graphics (frosted vinyl — logo, hours, Wi-Fi)
- A-board/pavement sign (daily specials, craft beer features)
- External lighting concept (festoon, uplighting, sign illumination)
- Beer garden signage and wayfinding
- Outdoor seating branded elements (parasols, windbreakers)
- Entrance door branding (push/pull, welcome messaging)
- Building number / address plaque (branded)
- Smoking area signage
- Car park directional signage
Interior Design
From the moment guests walk in, every interior element reinforces The Crown & Thistle's identity. The main bar commands attention, the dining area feels warm and inviting, the snug is the best seat in the house, and the roaring fireplace makes people stay for "just one more." Heritage materials meet modern comfort.
- Main bar area concept (timber counter, brass fixtures, heritage tile)
- Dining area concept (exposed brick, banquettes, pendant lighting)
- Snug/private area (deep armchairs, low lighting, bookshelves)
- Fireplace feature design (reclaimed timber, branded details)
- Lighting design (mix of pendants, wall sconces, candle-effect)
- Wall art programme (local history prints, botanical illustrations, mirrors)
- Feature wall design (reclaimed wood, framed brewery art)
- Furniture and upholstery specification
- Restroom door signs (branded, heritage style)
- Restroom interior branding (mirror decal, framed prints)
- Interior wayfinding signage (restrooms, beer garden, function room)
- Wi-Fi details display card
- Function room signage and branding
- Staff only / kitchen door signage
Bar Design
The bar is the heart of a pub — and The Crown & Thistle's bar is designed to be a showpiece. Custom tap handles, branded pump clips showcasing the rotating ale selection, a spirits display that drives upselling, branded pint glasses, coasters that double as conversation starters, and a bar runner that ties the whole visual together.
- Bar counter and back bar design concept
- Custom tap handles / beer font branding
- Pump clip designs (cask ale range)
- Spirits display and shelf organisation
- Branded pint glasses (etched logo)
- Wine glasses and cocktail glassware branding guide
- Beer tasting flight board design
- Bar menu / drinks board design
- Coasters (front: logo; back: craft beer trivia / social handles)
- Bar runner mat (branded)
- Beer tasting notes cards
- Happy hour / specials display design
- Cellar organisation signage
- Ice bucket and bar caddy branding
Menu Design
From the gastropub mains and sharing boards to the legendary Sunday roast, the craft beer list, and a cocktail menu that surprises regulars — The Crown & Thistle's complete menu system is engineered with strategic pricing psychology and designed to feel like it's been there for decades.
- Gastropub food menu (starters, mains, sharing boards)
- Bar snacks & nibbles menu
- Sunday roast menu (centrepiece of the week)
- Kids menu (illustrated, fun, on-brand)
- Dessert menu card
- Seasonal specials insert (Spring/Summer, Autumn/Winter)
- Craft beer list (with tasting notes, ABV, brewery info)
- Wine list (by the glass and bottle)
- Cocktail menu (signature pub cocktails)
- Spirits & premium pours list
- Non-alcoholic & low-alcohol options menu
- Specials board template (chalkboard style)
- Guest ale board template
- Allergen menu (comprehensive matrix format)
- QR code table tent for digital menu
- Delivery platform imagery and menu layout
Packaging & Branded Items
The brand goes home with every takeaway order and every loyal customer. Branded containers, paper bags, loyalty cards, gift vouchers, and merchandise that turns regulars into walking ambassadors — t-shirts, caps, and tote bags that people actually want to wear.
- Takeaway containers (branded labels, various sizes)
- Branded paper bags (small, medium, large)
- Loyalty card design (stamp card — 10th pint free)
- Gift voucher design (physical, premium card stock + envelope)
- Branded t-shirts (staff & merchandise)
- Branded caps / beanies
- Branded tote bag
- Branded napkins (printed with logo)
- Cutlery wrap branded paper band
- Branded matchbox
- Delivery thank-you card with reorder QR
- Branded stickers (gold foil, die-cut)
Staff & Uniforms
Front-of-house and back-of-house, every team member is part of the brand. We designed distinct uniform concepts for bar staff, floor team, kitchen brigade, and management — practical, on-brand, and designed to make the team feel proud to work at The Crown & Thistle.
- Bar staff uniform (branded apron, heritage shirt)
- Floor staff / waiting uniform
- Kitchen team uniform (chef jacket with embroidery)
- Management uniform distinction
- Name badges (branded, magnetic back, premium)
- Kitchen apron design
- Bar apron design (waxed canvas, branded)
- Uniform standards document (grooming, dress code)
- Uniform order form template
Marketing & Launch Campaign
From the "Grand Reopening" campaign that brings the whole neighbourhood out, to the quiz night posters, live music flyers, social media templates, email newsletters, website design, Google My Business optimisation, and the training manual that gets the team ready — this final phase ties the entire brand system together and launches it into the world.
- Grand Reopening poster (A3, A2)
- Grand Reopening flyer (A5, door-drop + counter)
- Grand Reopening banner / pull-up roller banner
- Grand Reopening social media campaign (5+ posts)
- Quiz night poster template
- Live music event poster template
- Beer tasting event promotional materials
- Events calendar template (monthly)
- Social media post templates (15 variations)
- Instagram Story templates (8 variations)
- Instagram Highlight cover icons (10–12)
- Social media profile imagery (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Google Business)
- Email newsletter template
- Email welcome sequence design (new loyalty members)
- Email signature design (HTML)
- Google My Business imagery and optimisation
- Digital ad templates (Meta, Google Display)
- Website design mockup (homepage, menu, events, booking, about, contact)
- Business cards (GM, General, Chef variations)
- Letterhead, compliments slip, envelope designs
- Comment card / feedback card
- Table tent designs (events, specials, feedback, review prompt)
- Local press ad templates
- Direct mail postcard (neighbourhood launch)
- Private hire / function room inquiry pack
- Christmas party packages one-pager
- Seasonal event templates (Christmas, Valentine's, St Patrick's, New Year's Eve, Summer BBQ)
- Staff training manual cover and section dividers
- Staff handbook cover and layout
- Job posting template
- Shift schedule template
- Staff notice board header
- Invoice, purchase order, quote templates
- Receipt design (POS)
- Kitchen station labels
- Cleaning schedule, temperature log, prep list templates
- Allergen chart (kitchen wall reference)
- Waste management signage
The Complete Picture
deliverables. One agency. One cohesive brand.