Street Factory founders open new bar in Plymouth
Toby and Jo Gorniak are behind Havana on Notte Street
The founders of Plymouth's Street Factory are beginning a new and separate adventure.
Toby and Jo Gorniak have opened a new bar in the city called Havana.
They've been working hard to transform the space on Notte Street, which includes a stage, bar, dance floor and seating.
Toby G MBE tells us that they're always looking for the next opportunity to create something: "This was one of my ideas that I've had for ages.
"One of the things I'm always looking for is a place where I can go out and dance, take my wife out and has got a nice vibe and culture - that was something I was missing. So this is where this was born."
They're hosting a range of events at the venue, including open mic nights, karaoke, 'going out, out' nights, Afro Beats nights, bottomless brunches with singalongs and so much more.
Jo tells us they're getting great feedback from people: "You feel like when you've walked in a few times it's like going to see your family.
"You know the staff, even our security we hand pick them so that they're friendly and they're welcoming and they also love to dance. It's just this really kind, safe, cool culture."
Havana is completely separate from Street Factory, but Jo says they're still creating a "culture of connection": "Because we are the founders of Street Factory, if you can imagine the vibe that everyone used to say they felt when they walked into our building - that they felt loved straight away, they felt connected and they felt welcomed - because that's the culture that me and Toby build when we enter spaces, we've now been able to give that and resonate it within the bar."
Toby G MBE says it's also about giving artists a platform and opportunity to showcase what they do.
He tells us about a guest they had recently at one of their open mic nights: "This artist comes in, he looks really cool, really funky. I'm plugging him in, getting him ready and then I stand back and watch him perform.
"Before he started he said 'Toby you might not remember this but many years ago I was busking under the subways and you and your dancers came in and danced for me. That was the was the most money I ever made and that's the day I bought my guitar, so I just want to say thank you'.
"You just don't realise the things that you do and the difference that it makes for people. It was so beautiful to have this artist come and perform."