A design agency is set to take off after unveiling plans to open a studio housed in a Boeing 737 airliner.
Neil Morten, head of Rugeley-based GMP Design, has bought the plane to create an innovative new office for his business to grow into.
The entrepreneur is now looking for prominent land in South Staffordshire to house the stripped-out jet. Then, the firm plans to decorate it with contemporary floors and lighting – and even a bar.
The firm plans for it to be used as a studio and design academy during the day and become an exclusive bar in the evening and a private hire venue with a difference at weekends.
Mr Morten came by the airliner after being commissioned to investigate the feasibility of putting a jumbo jet into a bar and nightclub in Essex.
He said: “When we were chatting and showing clients around the jumbo jets in aeroplane graveyards we thought ‘wouldn’t it be great for an office?’
“The deal is done and the land is all we need now, so we’re looking at the moment.”
He added: “As long as we can lease the land we can park it up and it should be quite simple.
“I would like it to be a high-profile place. We thought when it wasn’t being used as an office it could be a great function room by night.
“We are going to put a bar in there and we know lots of top chefs that would want to come and cook there.”
Mr Morten is looking for land in the Rugeley and Lichfield area for a permanent base.
The firm, which specialises in pub, club and leisure design, currently employs 12 people but said the airline would allow space for as many as 35.
The business, which has worked for the likes of Disney, The Ministry of Sound, Lumina and the University of Birmingham, has a bulging order book and Mr Morten said there were ambitions for major growth in the years to come.
But first thing’s first – the plane will have to be transported first.
It will first be stripped out and then it ill have to be broken into three pieces – the fuselage and two wings – to be transported.
“We have spoken to some of our clients about this and they absolutely love it,” Mr Morten added.
“We are talking to various sponsors about it. Because it is so high profile there is a lot of interest in sticking a logo on it.”
GMP, on the Towers Business Park, was established by Mr Morten 22 years ago and has completed major contracts throughout the UK, Europe and the Far East.
The company is currently working on the £2 million scheme to restore Cleethorpes Pier to its former glory.
Mr Morten believes the plane would create a vibrant atmosphere and an inspiring place for creative youngsters.
He said: “We have got massive ambition. We’d like to get to 110 people. It is all about growth for us.
“We had a tough old recession but our order book is phenomenal.
“Suddenly last year it was like someone just turned a tap on. It has been a great success story.”
