Set inside the former Royal Bank of Scotland building in the heart of Bakewell, The Charleston is the sixth project in the Longbow Venues collection.
Occupying one of the town's most prominent locations, just a short stroll from the river and bustling market square, the former bank has stood as a Bakewell landmark since first opening its doors in 1838. Having remained vacant since 2018, this Grade II listed sandstone building has been carefully restored and transformed into a stylish hospitality destination featuring a ground floor bar, an upstairs restaurant and a courtyard accommodating around 90 guests.
Inspired by the glamour of the 1920s, the design celebrates the building's original character, preserving its soaring ceilings, ornate cornices and tall arched windows while introducing warm lighting, rich textures and bold design details influenced by the golden age of cocktails and jazz. The result is an elegant yet welcoming interior that reflects both the building's heritage and its picturesque surroundings.
The design balances flexibility with character, creating a series of connected spaces that work seamlessly together while each retaining their own identity. From the ground floor bar and first floor restaurant to the private dining room and beautiful courtyard, the layout has been carefully considered to support a variety of experiences, allowing the venue to transition effortlessly throughout the day while maintaining a consistent identity throughout.
Among the venue's collection of spaces is The Speakeasy, an intimate private dining room created within the building's original bank vault. Seating up to 10 guests, the space carefully repurposes one of the building's most distinctive original features, creating a unique setting that celebrates the property's heritage while offering an exclusive dining experience.
It was a pleasure working with Longbow again on another fabulous project, helping bring this unique space back to life.
