A lot has been going on over at Play in Middlesbrough of late. Lee Allcock caught up with new co-owner Aaron Lythe to discuss recent developments and to get an insight into what’s going on.
Tell me a bit about what’s going on over at Play. There seems to be a lot of changes happening…
A couple of months ago, we made the difficult decision to cease brewing Play Brew beer, which meant we had to reassess the future of the taproom and venue side of the business. Long story short, I decided it would make the most sense for me to continue managing the venue alongside my business partner, Michaela. We’ve built a fantastic reputation with our events and an even better community around them. It was a no-brainer for me to keep that going. We’re incredibly proud of the space we’ve created and it felt like a natural progression to evolve the venue as its own entity, even without the brewing side of things. The community aspect is at the heart of everything we do. We’ve hosted everything from live music nights and DJ sets to comedy shows, markets, and private events. It’s become a space where people come together, connect, and create memories. The idea of letting that go just didn’t sit right with me. We have a loyal customer base and I think people have grown to love the atmosphere and experiences we provide. That was worth preserving and expanding upon.
What’s happening to the brewery itself?
The brewery is no longer operational. All of the equipment was sold and the brewers have moved on to other great local breweries. It was a bittersweet moment, marking the end of an era. For five years, Play Brew produced beers in Boro that were enjoyed not only locally but all over the country – and even internationally. It was always a thrill to see people enjoying something that was crafted with passion by two of my good friends. The decision to stop brewing wasn’t taken lightly but it was necessary for us to focus on the venue side of things. We’re proud of what we achieved with the brewery and those memories will always be a part of Play’s story.
What challenges have you faced in trying to get everything ready for the re-launch?
The biggest challenge has been the decisions we’ve had to make regarding rebranding. Deciding to keep the name ‘Play’ was a big one. We weren’t sure whether changing something like the name would affect people’s perceptions, either positively or negatively. In the end, we felt the name still represented fun, community, and creativity – core values we want to carry forward. There’s never really going to be a ‘relaunch’ per se – it’s going to be an ongoing project. In the early days, we’re inevitably going to change the branding and some aesthetics on-site. All of our other plans and changes will come in time. We’re approaching it as a journey of continuous evolution. We don’t want to rush things but instead make thoughtful changes that enhance the experience for our visitors. In time, we plan to add more rooms, more toilets, improved accessibility, different tables (including chairs with backs for more comfort), a bigger capacity, and even a pool table. We’re looking at ways to make the space more versatile, so it can host an even wider variety of events. All we ask is that people are patient with us through these changes. We’re excited about the future and the potential to grow the venue into something truly special.
To find out more about what’s going on over at Play, head to Facebook.com/playmiddlesbrough or Instagram.com/playmiddlesbrough.
