Bristol design agency Phoenix Wharf has struck Gold for the second year running in one of its industry’s most prestigious competitions.
The agency again topped the Best Hospitality Project category at the London Design Awards – this year for its work with ethical, accessible, community-oriented supermarket The Bristol Loaf. 
The store in Bedminster, pictured right and below, celebrates the best local produce and ingredients by bringing together a café with retail offers including its own bakery, cheeses from Two Belly, new wine offer The Bristol Vine and fruit and veg from Hugo’s Greengrocer.
Last year Phoenix Wharf won Gold for The Yeo Valley Café, taking the Somerset-based business – also the UK’s leading organic dairy brand – to London for the first time in the form of a two-storey café, shop and workspace on Queensway.
The London Design Awards represent the UK arm of the world’s largest network of design award programmes. Outstanding projects from more than 7,500 brands and 2,500 studios have been recognised since its 2010 inception by organisers DrivenXDesign.
The awards run annually in New York, Shanghai, Sydney and Hong Kong, as well as London.
Phoenix Wharf founder Chris Gwyther said: “What these awards highlight is the great entrepreneurialism of the South West in the hospitality field. 
“We love working with operators who have both fresh ideas and a real vision. Neither project had the highest budget in the world, so it just goes to show that you don’t have to be in the luxury market to make an impact and a difference. You just have to know your target audience.”
Phoenix Wharf associate creative director Emma Carter, who led both projects to fruition, added: “When it comes to design Bristol can now compete with any city in the country.
“What’s also notable about these projects is what a great advocate the South West is for boundary-pushing sustainable design, with both projects featuring re-purposed materials wherever possible, and offering healthy, organic and sustainable food and drink with true community appeal.”
Founded in Bristol in 2015, Phoenix Wharf has worked with a wide range of clients from start-ups to established heritage brands such as Yeo Valley, Space NK, The National Trust, Ensemble, Craghoppers, The Gro Company and The Richmond Building at Bristol University.
Along with sister creative companies Ignition (exhibitions, events and experiences) and Caroline (strategic communications), it is part of the Istoria Group.
Photos courtesy of Franklin & Franklin
