McLoughlin Decorating is delighted to announce the successful completion of the Guinness Experience in Covent Garden, a landmark 54,000 ft² historic building, in collaboration with main contractor Bennett Construction. The project began in November 2024 and was completed in December 2025, marking over a year of meticulous planning, coordination and high-quality decorative work.

Our team was responsible for internal decorations throughout the building, covering a diverse range of spaces, including:

• Microbrewery – bringing the heart of the Guinness production story to life with specialist finishes.
• Bars and Restaurants – high-traffic hospitality areas requiring durable, visually striking decoration.
• Shops – retail areas with a focus on branding and customer experience.
• Private hire event spaces – flexible areas for corporate and private events, finished to the highest standard.
• Outdoor areas – carefully maintained exterior finishes to complement the historic character of the building.

Project Highlights and Challenges

• The Guinness Experience was officially opened by King Charles, making this a high-profile project demanding exceptional attention to detail.
• The project required close coordination with multiple other trades working simultaneously, to ensure seamless delivery.
• Working within a historic building, our team had to carefully balance modern functional requirements with the preservation of heritage features.
• Due to the size and complexity of the project, logistics and planning were critical, including phased works, access management and on-time delivery across all areas.

Our Approach:

• We implemented a collaborative project management approach, holding regular coordination meetings with Bennett Construction and subcontractors.
• Our decorators used a combination of traditional techniques and specialist modern finishes to ensure each space reflected the unique character of Guinness while meeting the practical needs of staff and visitors.
• Safety and compliance were paramount throughout, particularly in areas with live brewing equipment and public access.

Social Value:

McLoughlin Decorating ensured that the project delivered value beyond its physical construction:

• Employment and training: Local apprentices and trainees were actively involved, gaining hands-on experience in high-profile, heritage-sensitive decorating work.
• Community engagement: We coordinated with local suppliers and businesses wherever possible, supporting the surrounding Covent Garden community.
• Sustainability initiatives: Waste management and environmentally responsible materials were prioritised to reduce the project’s environmental impact.
• Promoting inclusion: Site practices encouraged diversity and equal opportunities across all teams working on the project.

Key Achievements

• Delivered high-quality decorative finishes across all 54,000 ft², exceeding client expectations.
• Successfully managed complex scheduling and trade coordination, ensuring the project remained on time and within budget.
• Enhanced the visitor experience by ensuring every space, from bars to private hire areas, was visually cohesive and immersive.
• Contributed to the prestige and impact of the Guinness Experience launch, celebrated by a royal opening.
• Created tangible social value through workforce development, community support and sustainable practices.