Modern-day fish and seafood restaurant Catch has recently opened on the ground floor of the iconic Victoria Mills building in West Vale, near Halifax, with the goal of sourcing the absolute best fresh fish to bring from UK ports to the table. Catch is operated by Lee Roberts who also runs The Fleece in Barkisland, recently voted Yorkshire’s favourite pub.
The new opening is part of the ongoing redevelopment of the lovingly-restored former textile mill, which includes restaurants and a cocktail and wine lounge on the lower levels, with the Andy Thornton showroom on the upper floors. Appropriately, the leading hospitality supplier provided much of the furniture and lighting to the newly-opened Catch.
The restaurant is decorated in the style of a Victorian fish market, complete with white tiled walls that complement the existing cast iron columns and concrete ceiling. Cast iron table bases with square solid ash table-tops work well in this environment.
The tops have been sand blasted and finished in a matt lacquer to highlight the distinctive grain. Cross Back side chairs in steel and wood from the best-selling Urban Vintage by Andy Thornton range have also been used.
What has given the place a real buzz and instant sense of atmosphere is the choice of decorative lighting, again sourced from the latest Andy Thornton collections. NUD Aqua Pendants in untreated copper are suspended in a row over the bar next to the open-plan kitchen. Striking Florence glass pendants with copper tops are used extensively in the rest of the restaurant, reflecting and bouncing light off the tiles.
An eye-catching focal point is provided by fairground letter lights, again from Andy Thornton, spelling out “Catch” in large, illuminated letters on the tiled wall, above the classy banquette seating.
For the restaurant’s attractive outdoor area, popular terrace folding tables and chairs were selected from Andy Thornton’s outdoor furniture collections, for a functional and elegant feel. As well as the restaurant, Catch also features a busy takeaway counter tucked away next door, with everything from squid to classic fish and chips on the menu.
