The Star: August 11, 2016

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20 follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch Thursday August 11 2016 Our People The Star Nick Inkster From backyard beer baron Twelve years ago, Nick Inkster was pouring beers for his mates at a hand-made bar in his New Brighton backyard. Now the former carpenter scooped three awards for his new bar – OGB in Cathedral Square – at the Christchurch Hospitality Awards. He spoke to Bridget Rutherford about what makes a good drinking hole So Nick, congratulations are in order after you received three awards on Friday, how did you feel when you won? I was just humbled and overwhelmed that people in Christchurch were behind me and the whole concept of OGB. It was awesome; we’ve only been open three months. ‘I built a bar in my backyard in a house I had in New Brighton, and then just dreamed of owning a proper bar.’ Remove cooking smells and steam! Remote extraction fans So how many awards did you take home? We were nominated for two, then we took the supreme new talent award. One of the trophies was gold, and they wanted to me to go up and do a speech, and I had to ask, what’s this one for? Three months isn’t very long to have been open to pick up three awards, what do you think it is that got you there? I think people just love my story. I’ve had three months in hospitality, I’m not from a hospitality background, I’m a carpenter. I just wanted to bring some heritage back to Christchurch. How long were you a carpenter? Well I’m 32, and I’ve been a carpenter my whole life. I started in Christchurch then I worked overseas for six years as a carpenter in Western Australia. I had a vision to open a bar in Christchurch and I moved home in November and had the lease locked in in June. Location is everything. How did you go about getting the lease in the old Government building? Well, three years ago I bought an apartment in the building. I wanted that location for the bar, but I didn’t know how to get into it. I found out that the owner was going to lease it, and I already had my business plan done. I had Ventilation Equipment Suppliers to trade and retail LEARNING THE TRADE: Nick set up OGB in the central city about three months ago, and is now recognised as an emerging hospitality professional. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN it all planned. Everyone was like, ‘you’re crazy, why would you want to open in the Square?’ But I said it’s about a destination. Had you always wanted to open a bar? I built a bar in my backyard in a house I had in New Brighton, All natural cowhide headboard • 100% natural quality • unique euro style • showroom and factory specials • comfort and satisfaction guarantee • customised beds & furniture and then just dreamed of owning a proper bar. I just love hosting people, I love throwing a good party. Range Hood cupboard insert ● Domestic ● Commercial ● Industrial G AR LANDS R D THE TANNERY OP AWA R D Smooth-Air has a wide range of ventilation equipment to bring fresh air into your home C UM NOR T CE PO R T HILLS R D FRENCH BAKERY CHA PM ANS R D TU NNE L R D 0800 SMOOTH (0800 766 684) www.smooth-air.co.nz sales@smooth-air.co.nz 264 Annex Road, Riccarton Christchurch 8024, NZ Ph +64 3 343 6184 Mon - Fri 7.30am - 5pm 22 Kennaway Rd • www.dreamwool.com • Ph 343-5105
The Star follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch Thursday August 11 2016 21 Canterbury’s weather updates with Mercy Cornish Mon-Fri bulletins: 5.30pm, repeats at 7pm and 9.30pm Freeview 40 | Live and on demand at ctv.co.nz | facebook.com/canterburytv to award-winning bar boss BACK IN THE DAY: Nick got his first taste of bar-tending 12 years ago, when he made a bar in his backyard. Did you host a lot of people at your home-made bar? Once a month we’d have parties. I had the bar set up and we would have DJs and live music. From there, I just enjoyed hosting people. That was in 2004, then from that my old man always said he could see me owning a real bar. He passed away two years ago and that gave me a lot of motivation to keep going. He knew I was planning it. I’ve got his name up behind the bar on an old wooden sign that was on our fence gate. Just after the quakes they moved out to Amberley and I fixed it onto Mum’s letterbox. It’s got R.D. Inkster on it. It suits the whole décor of the bar. Oh cool, so what’s the fit out of OGB like? I just wanted to complement the building. It’s a 1913 building so I wanted to stick around that era. I’ve also got a 1946 Austin 10 car there, so it’s that whole Peaky Blinders theme. I’ve been collecting instruments for years for the bar, and they are all on display. I wanted to have that theme, I love live music and I wanted to complement that with the instruments. So do some of your mates from your backyard homemade bar come into OGB now? Yeah, we all meet once a month. They come into the bar the first Thursday of every month. They can’t believe it really, but I do believe it, because I worked so hard to get here. But there’s no such thing as can’t. Do you have locals that come in all the time? Yep, we’ve got the locals that come and sit up at the bar and have a pint at 11am. It’s got a real London style, English corner pub feel that people feel at home in when they are inside. It’s a cosy space. My whole concept was to create that timeless old bar in FAMILY: A wooden sign that has Nick’s father, Robin Inkster’s, initials on it. The sign now takes prime position at OGB. central Christchurch that also had a bit of live music. I wanted Christchurch to have that. I wanted to create something timeless. So what sort of work were you doing when you were a carpenter? Over in Western Australia I was working in oil and gas, so building gas plants. Here in Christchurch I was building houses and commercial buildings. Do you miss building? I’m loving what I do now, but it’s just about getting that balance of staff, because at the moment I’m having to be on the floor every day. But I definitely miss the tool belt, I wake up some mornings and think it would be good to go and build something. And what do you do in your spare time, if you have any? At the moment I don’t have too much spare time. But I just love photography, that’s a big interest of mine. I love my rugby, I’m a Linwood rugby boy. I went to Shirley Boys’ High and I helped manage the Linwood colts team this season. I thought about putting the boots on but thought I would wait until next season. I’ve been part of the Linwood club for over 10 years. Proud installers of Get a Mitsubishi Electric GE42 5.4kW Heat Pump including FREE installation* for just $2,399* *includes cost of back to back install only, conditions apply Phone 0800 324 678 Call now for a free quote Lift/Recline ARMCHAIR ELECTRONIC ELECTRIC RECLINING & LIFTING ARMCHAIR • Reclines completely flat to lie down • Raise-able, foot rest • Lifts up and tilts forward to aid egress • Soft, luxurious fabric in Blue or Chocolate • Strong, long life, steel frame • Maximum user weight 136kg / 300lbs PHONE 354 5616 108 Sawyers Arms Rd, Papanui, Christchurch 10% Off for SUPERGOLD card holders Conditions may apply
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The Star: August 11, 2016

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