Having celebrated its 40th birthday in 2023, Newcastle restaurant Sachins has undergone an interior refurbishment. Led by chef-patron Bob Arora, the team worked with Manchester-based wallpaper designer Beth Travers to update the restaurant’s interior and introduce what Bob describes as an “Instagram-worthy” look to the city stalwart.
“Last year, the restaurant turned 40 and having played around with all sorts of ideas – ranging from graffiti to local wall art with Indian influences, ideas that were met with differing degrees of enthusiasm – I remembered reading about Beth at Bobo1325 and seeing some of her work,” said Bob. “After meeting her, I knew she understood the restaurant, my vision, and what was needed to bring it up to date.
“Diners have certainly become more savvy over the years. There is increased competition and with the influence of social media, it’s not just about the food but the whole dining experience. Before they even eat their food, most people are desperate to take a picture. Everything has to be Instagram-worthy – the venue, the presentation, the aesthetics. Our diners now have amazing hand-drawn wall art along with our edgy neon signs, new furniture, and new cutlery. We are ready for Sachins’ next chapter.”
Influences for the new look include a rare white peacock that Bob saw on a recent trip to Dubai, which inspired the booth seating space.
“My thoughts were something lavish and opulent, with colours that encapsulated the spices and materials in India that cocooned the diner,” added Bob. “Beth came up with the idea of the jungle theme – maximalist and on-trend. She also came up with the idea of incorporating the Sachins flower logo and an extremely cool design into screening – letting light shine through and providing some privacy for diners. The new look is uber cool. At first, I wasn’t on board with Beth’s choice of wall colour, but after getting another nine different colours to try on a wall, her original choice was definitely the best.
“People are blown away when they find out that Beth has hand-drawn all the art. It took her nearly three months to do it all. Seeing the detail is amazing – you see something new every time you look at it.
“We’re ready to take on our next 41 years.”
