Client: Toast Café Bar and Grill
Type of works: supply and installation of Richard Burbidge’s FUSION^® Commercial stair balustrade.

Richard Burbidge’s FUSION^® Commercial stair balustrade has been installed in a contemporary café bar and grill restaurant in Blackpool town centre, helping to create a safe and stylish environment for customers.

Designed by Blackpool businessman Riccy Caunce, Toast Café Bar and Grill restaurant provides a relaxed café bistro atmosphere by day and a sophisticated grill restaurant by night. The former bank and building society has been transformed into a two-storey eatery providing customers with the atmosphere of a city centre venue. With seating for up to 90 people inside, Toast café bar & grill restaurant has now been granted permission for further seating, outdoors, allowing tourists and regular patrons to make the most of the seaside views.

FUSION^® Commercial stair balustrade has been fitted to the main restaurant staircase, which connects the ground floor with the mezzanine floor, creating a stylish focal point for the restaurant. FUSION^® was also installed around the mezzanine floor, acting as a guardrail and creating a safe and stylish dining area.

The system combines oak rails and newels with brushed nickel balusters and connectors to produce a contemporary appearance, in keeping with modern restaurant design. FUSION^® Commercial is compliant with UK Building Regulations for communal areas and is tested for public stairs requiring loadings of 0.74kN/m, ideal for applications where the balustrade also acts a protective barrier.

Riccy Caunce of Toast Café Bar & Grill restaurant commented: “The concept of Toast is unique and fills a real gap in the market, so it was important that the interior, including the staircase, which is a focal point of the design scheme, was equally innovative and interesting. The use of timber and metal really complements the look and feel of the place, but just as important is the safety aspect, especially as our building incorporates a mezzanine floor frequently used by diners.

“The system was easy to install and the contemporary styling of FUSION^® delivers exactly the impact we were looking for, helping us to attract business in a very competitive market. At a time when people are eating out less it is crucial to make sure that your restaurant has the ‘wow’ factor and the Richard Burbidge balustrade is helping us achieve this.”

Available off the shelf, FUSION^® Commercial is easy to install, as all timber components are supplied pre-cut and pre-varnished. The metal balusters are also pre-cut and ready to use. In most instances, there is no need to modify the components, other than cutting the rails and newels to length.