What We Did
The Yacht, Torquay Flooring Project
Completed: 2025
Client: East Street Pub Company
Designer: Gutxi
Location: Torquay Harbour, Devon
Project Overview
Flooring Matters SW Ltd recently completed a full flooring renovation at The Yacht in Torquay — formerly known as Cinnabar. With its prominent position overlooking Torquay Harbour, the venue has been completely reimagined into a luxury waterside destination.
The project involved transforming a fully gutted building into a sophisticated multi-level space featuring:
- A ground-floor bar
- A glass-fronted gin distillery
- Upper-level bar areas
- Modern kitchen, toilets, and support facilities
Every element of the refurbishment was designed to echo the feel of a high-end yacht, blending craftsmanship, precision, and contemporary style. Flooring Matters SW Ltd played a key role in bringing this vision to life, collaborating closely with the designer Gutxi and the East Street Pub Co to select and install premium materials that would achieve the desired nautical atmosphere.
A standout element was the use of bespoke 900mm x 900mm Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT), manufactured specifically for this project – ensuring a truly one-of-a-kind finish.
Flooring that works for every space
Project Challenges
This was a complex renovation from the ground up. The building’s original subfloor was in extremely poor condition, consisting of mixed materials such as concrete, old vinyl, and plywood. Flooring Matters SW Ltd carried out extensive subfloor preparation, including:
- Leveling variations of up to 18mm
- Seamless transitions between concrete and timber substrates
- Custom drainage solutions for the toilets and bar areas
- Precision matwell installations for a flush, functional result
The installation also demanded advanced craftsmanship – with curved bar areas, bespoke stair nosings, and integrated LED lighting that had to be custom-made to meet the client’s vision.
Materials and Products Used
Ground Floor Bar Area
- Tarkett Inspirations LVT – Forest Oak Coffee with black feature strips
- Extensive subfloor leveling and repairs
- Gradus ADXT nosings with black satin channels and satin bronze inserts (bespoke design)
Gin Distillery (Rear)
- Invictus LVT – Groovy Granite Lava
- Fully waterproof Bostik H900 adhesive
- Booth seating areas with Gradus ADXT nosings
- Precision finishing around floor drains
Feature and Stair Areas
- Bespoke Calderdale carpet for soft zones
- Forrest Oak Coffee treads and risers with Gradus ADXT nosings
Toilets
- Groovy Granite Lava LVT with Bostik H900 adhesive
- 8mm latex leveling to correct irregular subfloors
Kitchen & Prep Areas
- Ultro Stronghold adhesive-free black LVT (cap-and-coved)
- Installed over existing flooring to reduce waste and support sustainability
Upper-Level Bar
- Bespoke 900mm x 900mm checkerboard LVT tiles sourced by Flooring Matters SW Ltd
- Central bar island featuring 150mm x 150mm black-and-white checkerboard pattern
- Hand-curved LVT for seamless transitions (68m² total)
- Tarkett Inspiration Naturals Parisienne Weave – Forest Oak Coffee (124m²)
- Inset Calderdale carpet matwell (Monsoon) with black trim detailing
Innovative Solutions
Every challenge was met with a creative solution, reflecting Flooring Matters’ craftsmanship and problem-solving approach:
- Complex Subfloors: Mixed materials and uneven levels corrected using latex, shims, and build-ups to ensure smooth transitions.
- Custom Lighting: Integrated LED stair nosings – hand-manufactured to achieve the client’s aesthetic and safety vision.
- Curved Detailing: Hand-cut and heat-bent LVT corners for a perfect curved finish around the bar.
- Precision Matwells: Custom recessed matwells built to be completely flush and hardwearing.
- Cohesive Design: Consistent use of Gradus ADXT nosings and trims to unify the nautical design theme.
The Result
The completed flooring scheme reinforces The Yacht’s elegant nautical aesthetic – combining high-performance commercial flooring with bespoke craftsmanship. The result is a durable, visually stunning space that enhances the customer experience and sets a new standard for hospitality design in Torquay.
