inside kanu poké: how we built our colourful, sustainable, unique restaurant in shropshire

When people step inside Kanu Poké, the first thing they often notice is the explosion of colour, murals, and the slightly unusual, yet tropical and chaotic oasis — and that’s exactly what I wanted.

My name is Katie Romney, and my background is in art, design, painting, photography, videography, animation… basically anything creative. If it involves colour or imagination, I’m all over it.

So when George and I decided to open our unique independent restaurant in Shrewsbury, one of the jobs handed to me was full creative control of the décor, and I couldn’t have been more excited!

Less than Four Weeks, One Tiny Budget, Unlimited Imagination

From the moment we got the key, we had just four weeks to transform our space into our Kanu dream — a fully functioning restaurant — and then open our doors to the public and actually start making money. With such a small budget and team members waiting to start work, there was zero room for delays.

I spent every single day painting murals, building, sanding, priming, designing branding, and creating whatever I could dream up. There was very limited sleep involved… many all-nighters… and even a few moments where I slept on chairs pushed together as a makeshift bed just to grab a nap and keep going! But honestly I had so much fun!

Some places I drew inspiration from:

• tropical patterns, tropical countries, plants, and animals

• modern funky restaurants around the world (ones we’d visited in person or stalked online while building countless Pinterest boards)

• colourful, playful contemporary artists I’d photographed during museum trips around the UK and beyond

• Street art

• going into nature and examining patterns, wildlife, plants

• and more...

  This list is truly endless, as I believe inspiration comes from soo many places, sometimes even subconsciously.
  

Sustainability at the Heart of Everything

Sustainability is at the core of Kanu Poké — that’s why we love upcycling and giving pre-loved materials a new life instead of buying everything brand-new.

• Every chair was collected individually from second hand shops and painted differently, so each seat has its own character.

• Old shelving units from charity shops were sanded, primed, and transformed with bold, funky designs.

• Recycled wood and free finds from places like Facebook Marketplace became the base for experimental textures created with heat guns .

By reusing materials and thinking creatively, we reduce waste while building a space that’s vibrant, fun, and environmentally friendly as much as we can.

A Unique Restaurant With Personality in Shropshire

Because Kanu Poké is a vegan, Pacific-fusion space, we wanted it to feel lively, animal-positive, and full of personality — a place that's playful, imaginative, and (if we may say so) one of the most unique dining experiences in Shrewsbury and a strong contender for anyone seeking the best restaurant in Shropshire with creativity at its core.

One of my favourite pieces is our giant papier-mâché octopus sculpture bursting out of the wall — made entirely from recycled newspapers. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in, and it sets the tone: fun, unexpected, and completely unique.

You’ll also find:

• hand-painted lantern tins hanging from the ceiling

• branches collected and painted on countryside walks

• Handmade lampshades, each primed, sanded, and painted by hand so every table offers a slightly different view.

  
  

A Living Artwork

And the truth is… I’m nowhere near finished. Kanu Poké is a living artwork, and we’re constantly adding new details, decorations, creatures, colours, and surprises — all while keeping sustainability at the heart of everything we do.