Creating a welcoming and organised outdoor space is crucial for any hospitality business, and cafe barriers are essential in achieving this goal. But what exactly are cafe barriers? Essentially, they are products that define seating or smoking areas outside hospitality venues, such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, and bars. These barriers are typically composed of custom printed banners connected to stanchion posts or wall brackets, forming a clear boundary that enhances outdoor spaces’ functionality and aesthetic appeal.
The importance of cafe barriers for businesses cannot be overstated. They serve a dual purpose: organising outdoor areas and providing a unique advertising platform. By using cafe barriers, businesses can create an orderly, visually appealing environment that attracts customers and promotes their brand. In bustling urban areas or popular tourist spots, having a designated, well-maintained outdoor area can significantly enhance the customer experience, encouraging guests to relax and enjoy their time. Moreover, the opportunity to display your branding on the barriers helps to reinforce brand recognition and draw in passers-by, making cafe barriers a smart investment for any hospitality venue looking to maximise its outdoor space.
What is a Cafe Barrier?
A cafe barrier is a versatile product designed to enhance and organise outdoor spaces for hospitality businesses. These barriers typically consist of plain or custom printed banners connected to stanchion posts or wall brackets using cross rails or bungee cords. The primary purpose of cafe barriers is to create designated areas for seating, ensuring a well-organized and visually appealing environment.
A cafe barrier is a system to section off specific areas outside cafes, restaurants, pubs, and bars. This system helps define and manage outdoor seating arrangements and serves as a physical boundary that can control foot traffic and maintain order in busy settings. By clearly demarcating areas, cafe barriers contribute to a more pleasant and structured outdoor space for customers.
Cafe barriers offer two significant benefits for businesses:
Spatial Organisation:
Cafe barriers provide clear boundaries and help organise outdoor seating areas efficiently. This prevents the haphazard placement of tables and chairs, creating a tidy and inviting space. Customers appreciate the well-defined areas, which enhance their dining or social experience by offering a sense of exclusivity and comfort.
Advertising:
One of the standout features of cafe barriers is their branding potential. The banners used in the barrier systems can be custom printed with the business’s name, logo, and promotional messages. This transforms a simple, functional item into a powerful marketing tool. Passersby are drawn to the clear, professional presentation, increasing the business’s visibility and potentially attracting more customers.
Cafe barriers are typically used in various hospitality settings, each benefiting uniquely from their application:
Cafes:
Enhance the charm of outdoor seating with well-defined, branded barriers that invite customers to enjoy their coffee in a pleasant, organised space.
Restaurants:
Create an elegant and structured dining area that appeals to patrons looking for an al fresco dining experience.
Pubs:
Designate smoking areas or additional seating to accommodate more customers, ensuring a comfortable and orderly environment.
Bars:
Attract nightlife crowds with stylish barriers that promote the bar’s brand while effectively managing customer flow and crowd control.
Types of Cafe Barriers
Cafe barriers are essential for creating defined outdoor spaces for cafes, restaurants, and bars. They come in various materials and designs, each offering unique benefits.
Stainless Steel Posts:
- Stainless steel posts provide a sleek, modern look that complements contemporary outdoor settings. Their polished finish adds a touch of sophistication.
- Highly resistant to corrosion and weather damage, stainless steel posts are ideal for long-term outdoor use with minimal maintenan
- It is perfect for urban cafes, bars, and high-traffic areas where a professional, clean appearance is crucial.
Metal with Wood Effect Posts:
- These posts combine the durability of metal with a wood effect finish, offering a warm, natural appearance.
- The metal construction ensures strength and longevity, while the wood effect coating resists weather and wear.
- Ideal for businesses that want the charm of wood but with the practicality and durability of metal, suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
PVC Cafe Barriers:
- PVC banners are the most economical option, making them popular for many businesses. They offer good clarity for printed graphics and are highly flexible.
- PVC banners can be printed on one or both sides, with mesh PVC options available for windy areas. Mesh banners have high wind permeability, reducing the risk of damage in harsh weather.
- PVC is waterproof, easy to clean, and gives a glossy, professional look. It is durable but may not retain colour well under harsh environmental conditions.
It is best for businesses looking for a cost-effective, professional-looking barrier that is easy to maintain.
Canvas Cafe Barriers:
- Made from sturdy canvas polyester, these barriers are higher quality than PVC. They are durable and can withstand strong winds.
- Canvas barriers retain colour well, even under extreme weather conditions. They are waterproof and can resist tearing at the eyelets, making them ideal for outdoor use.
- Canvas can be treated for flame retardation, water, and mildew resistance, ensuring they last without significant wear and tear or colour loss.
It is ideal for businesses that require a durable, high-quality barrier that can withstand harsh weather conditions and maintain a professional appearance over time.
Components of a Cafe Barrier System
A cafe barrier system comprises components, each vital to creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.
Banners:
The star of the show is front and centre.
- Banners can be made from PVC or canvas, offering different benefits. PVC is cost-effective, waterproof, and easy to clean, while canvas provides higher durability and better colour retention under harsh weather conditions.
- Both materials can be custom printed with your business’s branding, logos, and promotional messages. Depending on your visibility needs, printing can be done on one or both sides.
Stanchion Posts with Weighted Base
These are what separate and support your banners.
- Stanchion posts, typically made from stainless steel or metal with a wood-effect finish, provide the banners’ structural support.
- Each post is equipped with a weighted base, usually around 6.5 kg, which ensures stability and prevents the barriers from tipping over in windy conditions.
- Standard posts are about 98 cm tall with a base diameter of 36 cm, offering a sturdy yet unobtrusive presence.
Cross Rails:
- Cross rails come in various lengths, including 1.5 meters and 1.7 meters, allowing you to customise the size of your barrier system to fit your space.
- Cross rails connect the stanchion posts, providing the horizontal support needed to hold the banners taut and in place.
Spring Clips:
- Spring clips secure the bottom section of the banners to the stanchion posts, ensuring a tight and secure fit.
- These clips make assembling and disassembling the barrier system easy, allowing for quick setup and storage.
Cafe Barrier Hook Ends:
- Hook ends attach the cross rails to the stanchion posts or directly to walls if needed. They ensure a secure connection and provide flexibility in the layout of your barrier system.
- Hook ends come in different materials to match your chosen cross rails.
Benefits of Using Cafe Barriers
If you have outdoor space or need to direct traffic to your business, cafe barriers are a necessary investment.
Cost-Effective Advertising:
Cafe barriers are one of the most economical ways to promote your brand. Compared to other forms of advertising, they offer a high return on investment.
Simple to Update:
Banners are easy to produce and replace, allowing you to update your signage quickly if you rebrand or introduce new products and services. This flexibility ensures your marketing materials are always current.
Long-Lasting Materials:
Made from strong PVC or canvas, cafe barrier banners are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. The stands are typically constructed from durable steel, ensuring they last for years.
Customisable Designs:
Cafe barriers can be made in various sizes and shapes to fit your specific branding needs. This versatility makes them an effective tool for promoting your company’s goods and services.
Quick Setup: The lightweight frame and banner design make cafe barriers easy to transport and install. Setting them up takes only a few minutes, allowing for quick and hassle-free deployment.
Effective Marketing Medium:
Cafe barriers are a powerful medium for outdoor advertising. Their customisable designs can capture the attention of passers-by, making a lasting impression and attracting potential customers.
Organised Spaces:
Cafe barriers help manage and direct foot traffic in and around your store or restaurant, creating a more organised and pleasant environment for customers.
Planning Permission for Cafe Barriers
Installing cafe barriers can significantly enhance the appeal and functionality of your outdoor space, but it’s essential to ensure you comply with local regulations.
Before setting up cafe barriers, it’s crucial to consult your local council. Different councils have varying regulations and guidelines regarding the use of public spaces for commercial purposes. By checking with your local authority, you can ensure that your barriers are compliant and avoid potential fines or needing to be removed later.
Local councils have specific legislative requirements that you must adhere to when installing cafe barriers. These regulations typically cover:
Size and Placement:
The size and exact placement of the barriers may be restricted to ensure they do not obstruct pedestrian traffic.
Materials and Design:
Some councils have guidelines on the materials and design of barriers to maintain the aesthetic integrity of public spaces.
Safety Standards:
Barriers must meet specific safety standards to ensure they do not pose a hazard to the public, including being stable and securely anchored.
One of the primary concerns for councils is ensuring that cafe barriers do not impede the public right of way. When planning your barrier setup, consider the following:
Footpath Clearance:
Ensure adequate space for pedestrians to pass comfortably, including wheelchair users and those with visual impairments.
Accessibility:
Your barriers should not obstruct access to public amenities, such as benches, bus stops, or bike racks.
Visibility:
Barriers should be visible to prevent accidents, especially in low-light conditions.
To legally install cafe barriers on public land, you will likely need a Pavement Cafe Licence. The process generally involves the following steps:
Application:
Apply to your local council detailing your proposed barrier setup, including dimensions, materials, and placement.
Consultation:
The council may consult with other stakeholders, such as local businesses, residents, and accessibility groups, to assess the impact of your proposal.
Compliance Check:
Ensure your setup complies with all relevant regulations, including health and safety standards.
Fee Payment:
The application usually has a fee, which varies depending on the council and the scope of your setup.
Approval:
If your application is approved, you will receive a licence specifying the conditions under which you can install your cafe barriers. This may include restrictions on operating hours and maintenance requirements.
Uses for Cafe Barriers
Cafe barriers are incredibly versatile tools that serve multiple functions across various settings.
Outdoor Dining Areas
Cafe barriers are perfect for setting up designated al fresco dining spaces. By clearly defining the dining area, you can create a comfortable and appealing environment for customers to enjoy their meals outdoors. This setup is beautiful during the warmer months, offering an inviting atmosphere.
Attracting Customer Attention
Custom printed cafe barriers can serve as eye-catching advertisements. With your business’s branding, logo, and promotional messages prominently displayed, these barriers can attract passersby’s attention, encouraging them to stop and explore what your establishment has to offer.
Creating an Atmosphere
Cafe barriers can help create intimate and cosy outdoor spaces even in bustling urban areas. By combining barriers with tall potted plants, candles, and soft furnishings, you can transform a busy street corner into an area where customers can relax and unwind.
Reducing Street Noise
Cafe barriers can buffer against street noise and pollution, enhancing the overall dining experience. The barriers help shield customers from the sounds of traffic and reduce the dust and exhaust fumes reaching the seating area, creating a more pleasant environment.
Outdoors into Autumn
With the proper setup, outdoor dining can be enjoyable year-round. Cafe barriers can help maintain warmth by providing a sheltered area that retains heat from outdoor heaters. Adding blankets and cosy seating arrangements can further enhance the comfort of your customers during the colder months.
Managing Pub Smoking Areas
For pubs and bars, cafe barriers can designate specific smoking areas, keeping them separate from non-smoking sections. This organisation ensures that all guests have a comfortable place to enjoy, whether they smoke or not, and helps maintain a clean and orderly outdoor space.
Organising Queues
Cafe barriers are excellent for managing queues at a busy cafe, a restaurant, or during events. Setting up clear and organised queue lines can prevent congestion, reduce wait times, and improve the overall customer experience. This is especially useful during peak hours or special promotions.
Designating Sections Inside
Cafe barriers can help designate specific sections for different purposes inside your establishment. Whether you need to separate a kid-friendly area from an adults-only section or create a pet-friendly zone, barriers provide a clear and effective way to organise your space.
Standing Out
Cafe barriers can help your business stand out from the crowd at conventions, festivals, and other large events. By creating a defined, branded space, you can attract more visitors to your booth or stall, making it easier for potential customers to find you and learn about your offerings.
Cafe Barriers at BE Furniture Sales
BE Furniture Sales offers a range of high-quality cafe barrier sets designed to enhance outdoor spaces while promoting your brand.
Premium Cafe Barrier Sets – BS-16-Q
Features and Benefits:
- These barriers are built from stainless steel to withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy commercial use.
- The mirrored stainless steel finish adds a sleek, professional look to any setting.
- Each post features a 6.5 kg weighted base, providing stability without occupying too much space.
- The set comes flat packed and can be quickly assembled with just one large bolt connecting the base to the upright.
Specifications:
Posts: 2 x stainless steel cafe barrier posts and bases
Cross Bar: 1 x 1.7 m metal cross bar
Height: 98 cm
Base Diameter: 36 cm
Weight: 6.5 kg per post
Additional Components: 2 x spring clips for banner attachment
Pricing and Availability:
Price: £64.99 excl. VAT
Availability: Hundreds of sets are available for next-day shipping from the UK warehouse.
Wood Effect Cafe Barrier Set – BS-26
Features and Benefits:
- These barriers feature a stylish wood effect finish, combining the natural look of wood with the durability of metal.
- Made from metal with a wood effect coating, these posts resist weather and impact damage.
- The 6.5 kg weighted base ensures stability while minimising space usage.
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, providing flexibility in various settings.
Specifications:
Posts: 2 x metal wood effect cafe barrier posts and bases
Cross Bars: 2 x 1.7 m wood effect metal cross bars
Height: 90 cm
Base Diameter: 36 cm
Weight: 6.5 kg per post
Pricing and Availability:
Price: £89.99 excl. VAT
Availability: Hundreds of sets are available for next-day shipping from the UK warehouse.
Cafe Barrier Set – BS-17-Q
Features and Benefits:
- Designed as the strongest cafe barrier system in the lineup, made from stainless steel for long-lasting use.
- It features a polished stainless steel finish ideal for indoor and outdoor environments.
- Includes top and bottom metal cross bars, providing additional support for the banners.
- Quick assembly with just one large bolt connecting the base to the upright.
Specifications:
Posts: 2 x stainless steel cafe barrier posts and bases
Cross Bars: 2 x 1.7 m metal cross bars (top and bottom)
Height: 98 cm
Base Diameter: 36 cm
Weight: 6.5 kg per post
Pricing and Availability:
Price: £74.99 excl. VAT
Availability: Hundreds of sets are available for next-day shipping from the UK warehouse.
BE Furniture Sales offers a range of cafe barrier sets designed to meet various needs and preferences. Whether you prefer the sleek look of stainless steel, the natural appeal of wood effect finishes, or the robust support of dual cross bars, a cafe barrier is set to suit your business. With quick assembly, durable materials, and customisable options, these barriers are a valuable addition to any outdoor space, enhancing functionality and brand visibility.
Related Articles
- New Black Banners for Cafe Barriers in stock
- Cafe Barriers and Bistro Seating for the Pasta Factory
- Café Barrier sets – A Popular Summer Product
- Can I Put Tables and Chairs Outside My Cafe
- Al Fresco Dining: What Restaurants and Cafes Should Consider