‘Cafe Barriers‘ are systems designed to define, divide or enclose outdoor or indoor areas. Printed banners are supported by crossrails and upright posts. In most uses the systems are portable, allowing them to be moved into place as required, then stored when not required.
What Can A Cafe Barrier System Offer?
With the increased popularity of alfresco dining and drinking, making use of your outdoor space has never been as important. Cafe Barrier systems help to create comfortable and attractive areas for your customers whilst offering a stunning branding opportunity.
Creatively designed banners can be eye-catching and ensure that your premises stand out from the competition.
What Is Important When Choosing A Cafe Barrier System?
Firstly, you need to consider where the system is being used. Is it to be installed indoors, outdoors, in a sheltered area, exposed area or high traffic area? Certain systems are more suited to specific areas; for example, exposed or high traffic areas would require our heavier 16-21kg postsand bases, whereas sheltered or indoor areas will suit our lighter 10kg posts and bases.
Most high-quality cafe barrier systems are made from 304 standard grade stainless steel. Coastal locations will benefit from using our Ultimate Posts featuring 316 marine-grade stainless steel which has a higher corrosion resistance when exposed to salt air.
Some suppliers advertise their systems as being ‘heavyweight’ when they are actually only around 7-9kg and suitable only for very sheltered occasional outdoor use. These cheap lightweight posts will simply be blown over in an exposed location.
Options across our five systems include bases from 10kg to 21kg, floor mounts and ground sockets.
We also offer a range of banner types including inexpensive PVC Banner, Mesh Banner, Double-Sided PVC, Full Colour Fabric and Canvas. Your choice of banners will depend on your location and the image you wish to project.
Is Planning Permission Required?
All local Councils have to ensure that the publics’ right to use a highway is not detrimentally affected. Public highways include footpaths, pavements, market places, parking spaces and verges.
Councils usually class an area of the public highway where tables and chairs may be used or food and drink is consumed as ‘Pavement Cafés’.
Most Councils are generally supportive of Pavement Cafes because they facilitate enjoyment in the local area.
Generally, all parts of the public highway may be used for Pavement Cafés as long as all safety and non-obstruction requirements are met. Each local Council will however have their own guidelines. Some require you to fill out Pavement Café application forms for a ‘Pavement Café Licence’. Others require you to obtain planning permission and/or listed building Consent (This will usually be from your Local Planning Authority). With any of these scenarios there will usually be fees. Remember each County Council will have their own rules and guidelines.
If you wish to serve alcohol at the Pavement Café you will undoubtedly need a liquor licence from your Council’s Licensing Authority.
A local Council will sometimes undertake an assessment of suitability based upon the size and location of the area in which you plan to have a Pavement Café. It will also take into consideration the width of the footway and the input of neighbours.
If planning permission is required you may be asked to submit a site plan, here is a list of points to consider when producing this:-
- Proposed boundaries
- Building line
- Kerb line
- Café Banner Kit layout and dimensions
- Points of access and dimensions
- Trading days and times
- A copy of your Public Liability Insurance
Section 115.E of the Highways Act 1980 gives Local Authorities the powers to licence and regulate items such as Café Banner Kits displayed on public highways.
The role of the public highway is to allow the public to pass and re-pass. When using Café Banner Kits they must be managed and maintained in a way that protects the rights and safety of all users. Special attention needs to be paid to wheelchair users and those with impaired vision.
Equality Act Compliance
Is an Equality Act (formerly DDA) compliant system required? If so, then our kits with wheelchair friendly bases and lower cross arms are required. The shallow post bases allow the wheels of a wheelchair to easily roll over them, and the lower cross arm acts as a tapping rail for the visually impaired.
Cafe Barrier Layouts
The configurations for Café Barrier Systems are endless and can be designed to suit your exact requirements. here are a few possibilities…
Types of Banner
PVC Single Sided Cafe Banners – The least expensive option, PVC banners are printed in full colour on ONE side. These are waterproof, easily cleaned and hardwearing.
PVC Double Sided Cafe Banners – Heavy duty PVC banner fabric, printed both sides in full colour. These are waterproof, easily cleaned and very hardwearing.
PVC Mesh Single Sided Cafe Banners – Mesh PVC banners allow wind to pass through. They are lightweight, printed one side in full colour, waterproof, and easily cleaned.
Fabric Cafe Banners – Polyester canvas material, suitable for indoors or outdoors, printed full colour single or double sided.
Canvas Cafe Banners – Heavy duty marine-grade canvas, available in dozens of colours. Printed single or double sided.
