If you’re ever in Weymouth with time on your hands, make haste to Catch at the Old Fish Market. The menu’s great and you’ll be able to examine some of Vertiwork’s best etch effect graphics at close quarters…

The very concept of applying a film, Metamark Etch Effect for example, to glazing, thus avoiding the cost and inconvenience of chemical and mechanical means of etching glass in situ is well understood and widely practised. With a medium nearing ubiquity though, there’s always room for something a cut above the average to surface and distinguish itself. Bridport based Vertiworks can lay claim to just such a work. It’s there for all to see at The Catch at the Old Fish Market in Weymouth. Thanks to Colin Crabb and his team, this notable restaurant has a glazed balustrade  perfectly in keeping with all that surrounds it.

The restaurant itself is in an historic building that has an artisan fishmonger downstairs with the restaurant itself on the upper floors. Whether by accident or design, the balustrade separating the two spaces presents a perfect venue for the application of etch effect graphics.

Why?

The location benefits from character by the bucket-load and light in whatever measure is needed to impart it. The light sails into the space unimpeded until it meets Vertiworks graphics. With the graphics contrasting against the dark roof-void, they appear illuminated as if by some otherworldly power source. It’s an attractive effect and contributes in a big way to the restaurant’s décor.

The Vertiworks team was supplied with the design and set about cutting the fish-themed elements of the mural-like etched vista. Filleting, or rather weeding, the designs was an exercise in micro-surgery needed to retain the myriad detail. Time passed and eventually the complex job was done. 

Application got a bit of a helping hand because the glass was delivered to Vertiworks  premises and the relative positions of all the elements could be reconciled. Having Metamark’s MetaScape Adhesive on side helped too - no bubbles.  About fourteen sheets of substantial glass were involved in the effort so everyone at Vertiworks expended some energy in getting the job done. This is real glass, not lighter acrylic. 

Once installed, the big effect achieved is obvious to anyone who sees it. It’s great. The eye can elect to see past the applied graphics but they register anyway. In technical and aesthetic term, this is an exemplary etch effect application and another reflection of Vertiwork’s quality and expertise.

Line-caught sea bass with fennel and crab potatoes please.