I’ve enjoyed having VivID Lounge right below where I live. It was like having a local pub (I assume) but it was a European styled lounge. However there were problems right from the start and it looks like its the end of the road for this current version of the lounge.
This will be a very difficult blog post to write and I’m going to leave out peoples names and dates because its not really fair. Its also worth noting I’m not really in a position to be talking because I’ve never opened a bar or ever run an physical establishment. So really this is the thoughts from a outsiders view. I’ll probably get peoples backs up but, hey I’m doing it for the right reasons I believe… and I would happily say most of the same stuff to the previous owners of VivID lounge…
VivID lounge was one of those jokes for the longest time. Some of us believed it was a hoax by ISIS to get interest in the space. However it turned out to be real soon after I moved into Islington Wharf, with a paper survey through everyones postbox. Months after, things started happening. First a council application for food and alcoholic drink then one for a late night licence. It was clear it wasn’t a hoax after all. Then finally things started happening in the glass space, including a call for employment.
Due to open in July in time for the Ice Cream Festival, it didn’t quite happen and it was another 3 months before it actually opened, missing most of summer. It also opened with no big fanfare or announcements. The owners said they didn’t want a big opening.
So for months, people have walked past it and seen its open but haven’t gone in. Don’t get me wrong sometimes it was busy but generally its quiet and there 1-5 people sitting reading the news, enjoying a coffee. Why…?
There’s a whole host of reasons I believe… but here’s my thoughts…
- Engagement with the residents and residents committee…
I’m on the committee and also form the social committee and although we had a very successful night for the residents just recently (pics you can see here)… It wasn’t enough. I had planned to do feedback sessions to the residents about whats going on but got busy, and it didn’t happen. Ultimately I would suggest that more work needed to be done to engage residents. Not just sticking flyers through there post boxes, but actually banging on doors and massive discounts just to get people through the door everyday. This seemed to fall between the cracks of the owners and the residents committee, I can only suggest if we had known things were going so badly we would have got involved far earlier - Get Decor
Yes named after a favorite tune but ultimately the decor of the lounge was very uncomfortable and unfriendly. Plastic white chairs with white tables and only one sofa (next to the toilet). What it really needed was to take a note from places like North Tea Power, NoHo, Apothica, Common, etc. Simple cheap sofas with simple cheap wood tables. It would feel a lot more friendly with all those wood/earthy tones instead of stark white/orange colour scheme. Its a lounge… and the décor just didn’t quite match what you think about when you think European Lounge. - Environmental factors
VivID always struck me as very light and breezy due to the massive amounts of glass throughout but at night it always had the lights on very high… It was always a mood killer and although they had tea lights, they were over powered by the heavy lights throught-out the space. They really could have done with killing most of the nights and using many more candles (but there might be other reasons for this) - Taking feedback on the chin
In the early days, it was mentioned many times by many people that it would be great if VivID lounge would do a cooked breakfast on the weekends. VivID would only do healthy/hearty breakfasts containing porridges and muesli… The excuse was sometimes “the kitchens not big enough…” “We don’t want to be a greasy spoon” “If we gave everyone what they wanted… we would be bankrupt.” It was so bad, that people would come to me and moan to me about it! So in the end I ended up telling them again on behalf of others. If I had known things were so bad earlier, I would have been much more forceful at the very start. - Celebrate every moment
VivID missed its original opening date by a few months, but even when they opened it never did a launch event… This is a crying shame because many people didn’t know it was open for a while and even if they did, there was no real reason to go and check it out. I could mention social objects here but I won’t… People like an excuse to be there, thats why the quiz nights worked. Lastly there was no closing party (from what people tell me). There wasn’t even a “thanks everyone for supporting us type thing” (I wasn’t there on the last Saturday, so I’m going on hear-say), instead there was a message on the facebook group. So much for celebration… - Its not just about us…
Islington Wharf wasn’t the only flats in the area. Yes it was right underneath but actually there was Chips, Quantum, Millerners Wharf, Piccadilly Basin, etc, etc.. I don’t personally know how much effort went into engaging with those people but theres been a estimation that at least 1200 other people are a short walk from VivID. Even if they could convince 10% to come in regularly that would be great for business. VivID is also on the way to the Manchester City ground and the couple of times they tried selling things to the fans, its been very well received. I guess what I’m saying is, I believe there is enough footfall and someone will make a killing - Whats on the menu?
The menu was a mess of new and old items. Some of the old ones were no longer sold and the new ones you had to ask for. On top of that, there was only a few choices in certain categories. For example, only one black tea (my own bug bear) but about 4 different types of fruit & a green tea… Many times I wanted a earl grey but couldn’t get one. Near the end I learned they had them but it wasn’t on the menu or board! Seriously… This is systematic of the problems with the menu as a whole. When dim sum was added to the menu I was excited and told people about it, but later when a friend came in for dim sum, they couldn’t see it on the menu, so was disappointed. This is the same case for the fried breakfast… I understand the menu was fluid but they really needed paper menus to reflect this.
It doesn’t seem like it was difficult for you to write it at all Ian! I don’t imagine anyone of us made that comment about bankruptcy, that is unfair. I wish you had contacted us earlier when we could have made some changes. Some things were always beyond our control, the eventual opening date had little to do with us actually! It was a long process of legal moves which slowed us up. Believe us, we wanted it to work, why wouldn’t we? We won’t be bouncing back anytime soon, we need to recoup our losses.
SmDolby it took me a few days to write it and then worry about it.
Happy to change bankruptcy… but although I do follow you about contact you earlier… Although I will say again, if I had known earlier I would have made a bigger deal and made things happen from my end.
No one is doubting you wanted it to work… but so did we and we wanted to help you guys but sometimes felt like we weren’t able to talk about it.
SmDolby it took me a few days to write it and then worry about it.
Happy to change bankruptcy… but although I do follow you about contacting earlier… I will say again, if I had known earlier I would have made a bigger deal and made things happen from my end.No one is doubting you wanted it to work… but so did we and we wanted to help you guys but sometimes felt like we weren’t able to talk about it.VivID will be greatly missed…
Ian,
Your comments are insensitive.
I know you are fully aware of the sacrifices made by Sandy, Adam and their families.
You are obviously accomplished in the art of hindsight. We can all identify things that could have been done differently. A lot of things were done right.
Unfortunately vivID failed but it wasn’t for a lack of hard work. The residents of IW have lost a great asset which will be missed by it’s (small number of) loyal customers.
Like I said, if I had known the state of Vivid before hand, I would have said the same thing and helped in anyway I could to make it a success… I was a loyal customer and am gutted its now gone. Not as much as it kills the Sandy/Adam and others but there is nothing we can do now…
The only thing we can do is help them to sell the business at the highest value.
My comments show its worth a lot and with the correct changes will be a great place for all those around the New Islington area…
As a resident and a member of the resident’s committee at Islington Wharf you are entitled to your opinion. However, to post this blog on a public forum so soon after the business has closed shows a total disregard and lack of respect for the people who worked so hard to make this business a success. Whilst some of your comments are constructive most are completely irrelevant and pointless, just to take one example a closing down party?! Why would the owners and staff want to “celebrate” closing their business in these circumstances? In what possible way could making such comments be “doing it for the right reasons”.
If, as you say “ there were problems right from the start”, why weren’t you so vocal then as a concerned resident and a member of the resident’s committee.
Mtspudstar…
As I said before I have total respect for everyone who worked so hard.
How long should I have waited before posting this blog post then? 1 week, 2 weeks, months? Sorry no, its important to sum up feelings earlier rather than later. Yes some of those feelings will be raw but there certainly what people are feeling. I don’t buy the argument about it being a public forum, if I’m going to say it I’ll say it publicly not in a facebook thread (I have many issues with Facebook and ownership). Its my views and as I said, I’m happy to tell the owners exactly the same thing.
The closing down party could have been a clear sign to people that, they were just about to loose Vivid lounge… Also it could have been a celebration for everyone who put tons of effort and time into the lounge. Its not about celebrating death, its about celebrating the joy and goodtimes…
From what I understand in business, the first year or two you make a lose but after that, you start to break even. So I expected this was true of Vivid, hence why I never made these comments from the start. This is also why once I knew, I said the same to the owners
Mtspudstar…As I said before I have total respect for everyone who worked so hard.
How long should I have waited before posting this blog post then? 1 week, 2 weeks, months? Sorry no, its important to sum up feelings earlier rather than later. Yes some of those feelings will be raw but there certainly what people are feeling. I don’t buy the argument about it being a public forum, if I’m going to say it I’ll say it publicly not in a facebook thread (I have many issues with Facebook and ownership). Its my views and as I said, I’m happy to tell the owners exactly the same thing.The closing down party could have been a clear sign to people that, they were just about to loose Vivid lounge… Also it could have been a celebration for everyone who put tons of effort and time into the lounge. Its not about celebrating death, its about celebrating the joy and goodtimes…From what I understand in business, the first year or two you make a lose but after that, you start to break even. So I expected this was true of Vivid, hence why I never made these comments from the start. This is also why once I knew, I said the same to the owners
Yup I think there are a lot of good points here but I dont agree re decor-I rather liked it and so did many of my friends. I think the main one is engaging the residents in all the nearby developments: I certainly feel that this lovely warm, inviting space could actually have been marketed much more aggressively
I dont think Ian is being disrespectful here guys: I actually think he makes some very good points. vivID you will be missed
Thanks Ben… as mentioned its my own thoughts mixed with what people have said over time… never meant any disrespect in anything I have said
Thanks Ben… as mentioned its my own thoughts mixed with what people have said over time… never meant any disrespect in anything I have said… As you said VivID will be greatly missed
Very insensitive indeed!! There is no need for this blog at all no matter how you feel, because what you feel is nothing incomparsion to what the IP/Dolby families feel, they have put a huge amount of time and money into this project and in my view you are throwing and rubbing salt into a very open and expensive wound.
Lady Pixie, I have nothing but total respect for the IP/Dolby family… This blog post was never meant to cause offense to anyone. I understand things are going to be difficult to say the least but its nothing I’m not willing to say to them face to face…
For me this is better than saying things behind peoples backs like I imagine some others are doing? Not my style, I’d rather write or say it in public and start a conversation.
People I have spoke to have asked if ViviD lounge could actually be a good buy, so I say I believe so – if a number of points are addressed. Those points are in the blog post…
You actually felt strong enough about a coffee shop closing down and you truly believe if they had of taken on your ideas about the weekend breakfast then they would have survived! Very deluded indeed.
Nope, but I think it was a step in the right direction. At one point they were suggesting that if everyone in the flats (200) bought a coffee once a week they would have enough to stay open till xmas. So it was small things which do add up.
I am a resident at Milliners Wharf, and I only knew about VivID thanks to my walks from Piccadilly back to my apartment when travelling back to my parents at weekends, I would assume that very few other people in my development knew too much about it as I personally never saw any marketing leaflets in my postbox. When I finally saw it was open, I was hardly at home due to personal and work commitments so only visited on a few occasions. Though, I will say that it was a great idea in a smart place that has not managed to take off like it should. I only say that as the staff were helpful, the food good, and the drinks were what you would expect for the prices charged.
Some of the ideas like quiz nights and young kids and mum’s sessions were a great way of increasing business during the quieter daytime/working hour period or weekday nights. Though I think the options for the bar side were a touch lacking and could have been improved with a little more variety.
I do hope someone does make an offer to buy the business as it stands as I also think that by doing things pretty similar with a few tweaks here and there, and not necessarily to the decor which was bright and funky could make it a real success going forward. It is whether someone has the available cash and vision to do so that might not happen, and whether the sale of the business/property is marketed properly. I only found out it was closed 10 days ago when I looked in to read something I could barely see on the board.
Thanks Dave….
I’ve taken a lot of stick for what I’ve said but your points echo what other people said to me too…
Yes its a massive shame, but its also a shame Milliners Wharf also didn’t get promoted in the same way…
I expect most people like you walked past and planned to go in but most never did…
I hope someone buys it too… I understand everyone doesn’t like my comments about the decor but either way, making it more homely I think would help. Certainly think whoever buys it is in for a lot of money, specially if they promote it around flats like yours.
Part of the reason for writing the post, was because everyone I asked if they would take it over said whats gone wrong with it? So hopefully someone will read it and take on all the points… and think yes I could buy it…
Big_Blue_Dave – I think the community spirit is a long way off. I have lived here for nearly 2 years and know one Dutch guy in Chips and thats it. Everyone else has stayed for 6-12 mths and left without so much as a hello/goodbye. Plus there is the crime – I have had three bikes stolen from here and many of the residents have had their cars ‘smashed in’ inside the underground car par. Chips/Milners the whole islington project is a kinda of failure whilst it is on the edge of an estate with high levels of crime and unemployment.
I do know what your saying Raj…
But I have to turn it around and ask…
How many peoples doors did you knock on when people moved in? Do you know your neighbours? Does Chips have a residents committee? Why don’t you start it?
I know it sounds cheeky, but its questions I asked myself when I knew I was going to move in… The only way to make things better for yourself and everyone is by breaking the social norms and getting people together.
If you don’t have a Social Committee, start one or talk to me and I’ll happily invite Chips residents along to some of ours.
Agree with some of this. I’m at Chips and did not get a flyer or invite to the launch event. Just getting some regulars, collecting takeout coffee can be worth £400-500 a year each. Not sure I wholly agree with the sofas and greasy spoon concept as any cafe has to carve a niche with N’Qter. Biggest failure was its location…its too far from decent footfall.
Thanks Raj,
I wasn’t saying it should be more greasy spoon, anything but! I was saying it could do with being more inviting and comfortable. I think I used North Tea Power as a example of how simple and inviting it can be (imho).
There was no launch event
and also no closing event… It was never really told publicly that it would close.
Chips should have been one of the flats on the hits list (imho) you guys got 100+ flats and mainly young people, the type who would love a nice little bar/cafe on their door step, right? Oh well… Hopefully what ever happens next will be widely shouted about across the new islington area…