Mr. Enda Peoples, MDG Asia

- Please tell us what your company does.
Our company came to Japan as about 10 years ago as the McNally Design Group Japan (part of the MDG group). We are now an independent company called MDG Asia Limited and we design and build pubs, cafes, and restaurants as well as providing consulting services for the food and beverage trade. We have offices in the US, Ireland, Australia, and India.

- What do you think makes an Irish pub?
In appearance there are 5 or 6 different designs based on various styles of pubs in Ireland. As well as the authentic design a genuine Irish Pub has to have genuine Irish beer, Irish homemade style food, Irish music, and friendly staff. The friendly staff element is probably THE most important thing that separates the Irish pubs from the other pubs, the kind of staff who make you feel welcome and at home. You don't feel like just a customer. A good Irish Pub is also where the "craic" is - good fun, good atmosphere and good people.

- Tell me about Irish pubs outside of Japan
Irish pubs are very popular worldwide. In places like the United States, England, and Australia Irish pubs already existed because Irish people had moved there a long time ago. There are many Irish descendants there today and their fathers or grandfathers built Irish pubs. The kind of Irish pubs we are talking about now are, I would say, the second wave, which is not connected specifically to Irish people in places where there is not such a diaspora, like Italy, France or Japan.

Now Irish pubs are everywhere in Europe, the States, Canada, and Australia. They are also in lots places in Asia as well including China, Hong Kong and Thailand. I think a part of the success is that you don't have to be Irish to enjoy in Irish pubs. In an Irish pub people go, "Oh, I'm not Irish, but can I be a part of this?" The answer is "Yeah, sure." A good pub is a warm and friendly place, where people have a chat, drink, music, and a good time. Of course, the recent Irish boom helped a lot because through Irish music, film, and shows like Riverdance Irish culture is now a little bit better known than before.

Sport is another important aspect. For example, much of the Irish pub boom that happened in Japan came about after the 2002 World Cup. People came from far and were looking for a place to go to watch games or celebrate afterwards. Japanese people realised that Irish Pubs were a good place to do this.

- How are Irish pubs in Japan?
Obviously, Irish pubs are very popular in Tokyo, but they are becoming increasingly popular in other parts of Japan as well. Recently we have built pubs in Sendai, Kanazawa, Kumamoto, and Hiroshima. Outside of Tokyo, the difference is that sometimes you find more space and obviously the costs are lower. For example, in Kumamoto, the pub we built was quite big compared to any of the existent western style bars. In a city where people were used to cramped shot bars it was a really pleasant change for the locals.

- Do you build everything in Japan?
We provide everything. We build the kitchen, the bar, paint the walls and provide the furnishings as well as providing training. Some elements are sourced here and some are manufactured abroad and imported. The furnishings, bars, and back bars are imported from Ireland, Australia and India and assembled on site in Japan. We don't just build Irish pubs, we also help to find or assess a site, provide advice on financing and also consulting on operations and management.

- Do you go to the opening of your pubs?
Yes, that is the best part. We like to think that what we do is to try to help people realize their dream to own and run an Irish Pub. When we give the key of a pub to the owner, we feel we helped to achieve that.

For example, one client we met once saw the film, 'The Commitments' when he was younger and he fell in love with Ireland. He had a dream to open an Irish Pub. Finally he was ready to have his own pub and came to us. When we started there was just a room with four bare concrete walls at first which was gradually transformed by our team. On opening night he turned the key, walked in and saw his own beautifully furnished pub. The music was playing, somebody poured a pint of Guinness for him. He smiled. It was a dream come true for him.

- What is your plan in Japan?
There are so many cities and towns in Japan without an Irish pub. So if someone says, "I don't know anything about pubs, but I want to open my own Irish pub." we'll be there. I think that in a way we are bringing the craic around Japan. Almost like spreading the gospel (smile).




* craic (Irish language) fun, enjoyable time

MDG Asia's web site: www.mdgasialimited.com

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