Inside the Design-Led Prestwich Barbershop and Cafe, by Sonday Studios

On Bury New Road, one of Prestwich High Street’s newest additions is quietly redefining what a neighbourhood space can be. RPB+coffee - part barbershop, part café - has been brought to life through the vision of Manchester-based practice Sonday Studios, the design duo of Phoebe Harrison and Lauren Robinson. 

The project blends the two distinct programmes of cafe and barbershop with clarity and confidence, letting the existing layout of the building aid in defining these uses. The ground floor acts independently as a coffee shop for both passers by as well as customers of RPB, with the glazed frontage inviting passers by to visit the space, as well as aesthetically adding value to the high street. Despite the elegant and refined design, the cafe does not feel inaccessible, but allows passers by to wander in freely, integrating seamlessly into the existing community.

The barbershop itself is up the stairs on the first floor. Sonday Studios talk to Bohm further about the blended programmatic concept further. “Grabbing a coffee on the way to a haircut felt like a natural fit, the two concepts work well together. The flow from the café to the barbershop is seamless, and it’s the kind of place where people can stick around and relax, before or after their appointment. That said, the café stands on its own too, and it’s become a genuine neighbourhood spot.” The resulting design is a successful blend of separation and flow: The cafe acts both as an independent destination for the community, as well as a stop-off point for customers of RPB, without feeling like a transient or liminal space.

The brief and visual language was defined by a blend between RPB’s pre-existing identity, and Sonday Studios’ design language. “The brief was to create a space that felt effortlessly cool, the kind of place you might find in cities like Berlin or Amsterdam.” The barbershop is the third that RPB have opened over the last 10 years, and the first outside of the city centre - the other locations both being in the Northern Quarter. “This project represented a natural next step in the brand’s evolution: their third barbershop with the addition of a café on the ground floor. RPB already has a strong, recognisable identity, so the aim wasn’t to reinvent it, but to translate the existing brand energy into a new concept.” 

The team at Sonday Studios told Böhm more about the process behind the final design, which they say was aided by a clear brief from the RPB team, and the fact that both RPB and Sonday Studios' visions aligned from the outset. “After exploring the initial concepts, we translated the space into 3D visualisations and physical materials, allowing the scheme to fully come to life. The site itself is compact, so we carefully considered the layout to ensure the space flowed seamlessly, balancing both a strong design identity with functionality.”

Upon entering the space, it is clear that a great deal of care and consideration has gone into every element of the space, from the elegant yet practical stainless steel bar, to timber panels and mirrored menu. The materiality of the space was guided by RPB’s existing sites, which have an industrial aesthetic that guided Sonday’s approach to the pallette: “Stainless steel joinery, layered with warm timbers and rich brown upholstery results in a space that feels both design led and approachable.”

The project is reflective of Sonday Studios’ design ethos and aesthetic, and the materiality of the space is a key factor in this. “We aimed to create impact through carefully considered materiality applied to key elevations and joinery. The timber panelling is one of our favourites, paired with feature wall lights that highlight the natural grain of the wood. The overall material palette defines the core aesthetic, achieving the balance we set out to create."

“The client brief is always the main driver of our design process, it informs every decision we make. From the start, we take time to understand who we’re designing for, observing their style, preferences, and how they intend to use the space. This early engagement ensures that these details are never lost along the way.”

“Our aim is to interpret the brief into a physical space that feels authentic and achievable. These design decisions often determine the materiality, form and spatial flow. We’ve found that the projects we've delivered so far often match the original concept visuals closely, which speaks to our focus on designing with intention and clarity from the outset. Of course, there are always adjustments along the way, but we’re committed to protecting the integrity of the design right through to completion.”

This focus on personal experiences - in terms of both design relationships, and the experience of the user in these spaces - is reflected in the meaning of their name. “Our name, Sonday, was inspired by the feeling that Sunday - the day of the week - evokes: a time when people naturally gravitate toward spaces they enjoy. Whether it’s home, a favourite restaurant, or anywhere personally meaningful, Sunday represents comfort, connection, and intention. 

 We aim to channel that same sense of personal alignment into every space we design. Our ambition is to create places that feel just right for whoever walks in.”

If you’d like to see more of Sonday Studios’ work, visit their instagram here, or their website here. If you’d like to visit RPB+Coffee, you can find it at 469 Bury New Rd, Prestwich.