Andy Thornton

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When Glenn Rigg, owner of The Ugly Oyster, a neighbourhood bar in Reading PA, decided he needed a new look, he turned to a team of professional Irish pub designers from ‘the old country’ to help create the unique appearance and atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub.

Designed, manufactured and fitted by traditional craftsmen from UK company Andy Thornton Ltd, experts in creating Irish pub interiors, the bar’s new interior skillfully combines authentic-looking reproductions with genuine architectural antiques. The refurbishment was project managed by Andy Thornton’s east coast distributor Paul Pendyck of UK Brewing Supplies Ltd based in Lancaster, PA.

The complete interior was manufactured in Andy Thornton’s workshops, dismantled then shipped by sea to Baltimore.  A team of four joiners, three decorators and a polisher were flown out to complete the installation.

The original interior of the Ugly Oyster was completely gutted with only a section of the original Brunswick style backbar and the decorative metal ceiling being retained in the new design. Andy Thornton carefully extended the backfitting by incorporating cut and etched mirrors and manufactured a matching mahogany bar counter with carved columns.

Fixed seating in the form of individual booths was adapted from original church pews and reclaimed wall panelling and timber flooring was incorporated. 

There are two striking fireplaces with period tiled inners and the glazed screen dividers feature stained glass panels that are reproduced to original Victorian designs. Even the tiled and lino flooring and antique painted embossed anaglypta wallpaper is authentic to the period.

Not surprising, the Ugly Oyster always had a nautical theme, so the interior is completed by the addition of an abundance of nets, portholes, lamps, display cases, pictures and other seafaring memorabilia.

Outside, the pub is just as striking as on the inside. The Ugly Oyster name appears in both English and Gaelic in huge gold-leaf lettering above a traditional Victorian frontage painted gloss black with gold highlighted columns and beading. The doors feature cut-and-etched panels and the transom windows are in stained glass. Elaborate brass window lights and exterior sign lights create a welcoming sight to passers-by. The whole structure was manufactured at Andy Thornton's joinery workshops in England.

The entire job took only twelve weeks from design to completion and the client is delighted with the results. 

“From the initial sales contact to the completion of the job, there couldn’t have been a better organization to work with. It was a pleasure to see the sense of pride that the Andy Thornton crew had in their work, something uncommon in today’s world. To top it off, my sales have tripled." Glenn Rigg - owner, Ugly Oyster.