The Regent Lounge
Following Cambridge United's promotion to League One, Layrd was asked to reimagine the Regent Lounge at the Cledara Abbey Stadium during the off-season. The brief was to create a more functional and exclusive matchday environment ready for the club's return to the third tier.
The space called for a smaller, more considered bar that freed up space for seating and increased overall capacity. The result is a darker, more premium lounge that places the bar at the heart of the room, visible and inviting from the moment guests arrive.
The redesign centred on two priorities: increasing capacity and creating amore considered, functional space for matchday guests. The existing bar took up more of the room than the club needed, which limited the number of guests the lounge could seat.
With promotion bringing bigger fixtures and greater demand for hospitality, every square metre needed to work harder. The redesign reduced the bar's footprint and repositioned it as a genuine feature within the lounge, visible from the entrance and central to the guest experience.
Dark, Detailed and Distinctly United
Charcoal walls and ceilings set a more intimate, premium tone than a typical matchday suite. Rather than applying club branding to every surface, the club's amber and black are brought in as considered accents. Amber-framed doorways mark the routes through the room, and amber-lined wall recesses with vertical wall lights frame the screens along the length of the lounge.
Mesh finishes and black metal detailing bring an industrial edge. Black mesh screens gently divide the room into more intimate zones without closing it off, and linear pendant lighting hangs over the tables. A backlit column at the centre of the room adds a soft glow and a point of interest. Softer upholstery, framed black and white photography from the club's history and warm wood-effect flooring balance the harder materials, giving the lounge warmth alongside its edge.
Club branding was also incorporated through the 'United in Endeavour' neon sign, creating a striking backdrop that is instantly recognisable. Screens throughout the lounge keep guests connected to the action wherever they are seated.
Reducing the bar's footprint allowed Layrd to create a smaller, more efficient feature that sits at the heart of the Regent Lounge. Positioned in clear view of the entrance, it creates an immediate sense of arrival and draws guests into the room.
The bar front features glazed amber tiles with a handcrafted finish, lit from beneath the counter so the tiles catch the light standing out against the surrounding dark palette. Behind it, black metal-framed back bar shelving with integrated linear lighting adds detail and depth to the feature point.
A Space That Works Beyond Matchday
The redesign of the Regent Lounge needed to consider more than matchdays. The spaces’ upgrade allows for private hires and community programmes. The new layout and adaptable seating allow the room to shift easily between these uses, helping the club get more value from the space throughout the week.
Partnering with Layrd Design on the overhaul of the Regent Lounge and the Layrd Lounge at Cambridge United has been a total game-changer for our matchday hospitality product.
Right from the initial consultancy phase, their team brought an incredible level of innovation and fresh thinking to the table. They took the time to understand the club, the brand, history and the city, delivering high-concept interior solutions that strike the ideal balance between modern sophistication and matchday tradition.
Throughout the process, their guidance was invaluable. The team guided us through space layout optimisation, material choices, and bespoke finishes, ensuring every element was engineered for heavy traffic and high performance without compromising on luxury.
When it came to project management and execution, Layrd exceeded expectation. Working around strict stadium schedules and tight turnaround windows is notoriously complex, yet they drove the entire build with remarkable efficiency, clear communication, and sharp attention to detail.
The tangible return on investment has been outstanding. Upgrading these spaces has fundamentally transformed our hospitality product, resulting in a dramatic rise in corporate bookings and increased seasonal package sales. The reaction from our sponsors, fans, and external clients has been universally enthusiastic. Layrd Design delivered an outstanding quality of work, and they remain a trusted partner as we continue driving the commercial development of Cambridge United Football Club.
Neil Rowe - Head of Commercial
