Excellence in Galvanizing
A team of artistic metalworkers called upon their longstanding suppliers, Manchester Galvanizing, for the protection of a new set of gates which uniquely showcase the heritage of brewing in Covent Garden.
Cumbria-based CB Arts were commissioned by award-winning artist blacksmith Bex Simon to fabricate and install new gates at Old Brewer’s Yard, measuring 3.7m tall. The posts and frame were then processed by Manchester Galvanizing Ltd, before being finalised and unveiled to the public earlier this year.
Bex Simon, who designed the gates, wanted them to represent the area’s history and decided on steel-forged barley at the base, oak barrels at the centre, and bubbles to represent the finished product. Old Brewer’s Yard comprises a collection of historic brewery buildings dating back to the 1740s, eight of which are Grade II listed.
Cathy Burrows, who oversees new projects at CB Arts, explained: “There are many clever design elements within Bex’s vision that we had to bring to life using a mix of modern and traditional techniques of fabrication, and which used a combination of three different steel grades.
“As an iconic piece of art which showcases the area’s history, we wanted to make sure that they were durable for future generations to enjoy. We chose to send the structural frame and posts to Manchester Galvanizing to be treated, a process which will protect them from corrosion and rust for many years to come.”
The steel, after being galvanized, was then painted in Royal Blue and finished with a graphite topcoat.
“It was a pleasure to have been invited by Bex to collaborate on this project, and we’re delighted to have been able to do justice to her fantastic design,” Cathy added.
Mark Waters, Sales Manager at Manchester Galvanizing, added: “We’ve partnered with the team at CB Arts on many projects over the years, and this particular one framework had very intricate pieces of steel which required careful processing through the galvanizing bath to ensure all areas were covered by molten zinc. Doing so will ensure that the gates will be protected from corrosion and remain aesthetically pleasing for decades to come.”
By Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd