North East designers score several projects to boost region's leisure offering

A specialist commercial interior design company has secured several big projects across the region.

Newcastle-based Bilateral Design was recently appointed as the lead concept designer for the interior leisure elements of plans to redevelop a Wallsend golf club into a 21st century leisure destination.

Plans have been submitted to turn Centurion Park, home of Wallsend Golf Club, into the home of the first UK branch of ‘Big Shots’, a US concept, mixing traditional golf with family entertainment and digital activities.

The project will include a two-storey driving range, a new clubhouse and reconfigured 18-hole golf course, a training academy with PGA-accredited coaches, a new bar and restaurant, conference suites, golf shop and video technology golf games.

David King, who is partly designing the project, said: “This is quite a step up for Bilateral Design in terms of its scale and concept.

“It’s a slight departure from our usual role as designers known for creating exciting dining and drinking environments in restaurants, bars and hotels.

“With Big Shots we will be helping to create an overall experience in a unique and exciting leisure development. This has the potential to become a huge new destination venue for Tyneside and the wider region.”

The Wallsend BigShots facility will be the first of 10 such driving ranges planned for the UK by Harrison Golf and Leisure with each centre following similar interior design to create a comprehensive nationwide brand.

Christopher Sutton, of Bilateral Design, added: “This is a fantastic development to be involved with. We’re working alongside a traditional golf environment but designing an experience that will engage both families and golf fans alike.

“We’ll be incorporating a range of casual dining and drinking experiences while also providing cutting-edge facilities for corporate events.”