Walls and Windbreaks

Areas and shelters can be surrounded in any kind of wall or enclosure that you wish (as long as the area covered complies with national regulations). Depending on where and what kind of shelter you are providing, there are solutions to suit.

'Solid and permanent shelters' – if you have an area that can be left permanently standing it’s worth investing in a brick or wood built structure. It will withstand the elements and vandalism far more effectively and could, in the long run, save you money in maintenance. Be aware that you will probably need to build foundations and employ professional builders and carpenters. You are also more likely to need full planning permissions and building consents for this kind of structure. You should also consider any implications on your current license.

'Semi permanent' – With the growing popularity of a ‘Mediterranean’ culture of outdoor socialising, plexi glass and solid plastic partitioning is a great way of shielding customers from the wind and rain. It’s relatively easy to install, though it will almost certainly need to be fixed to the ground, and is more effective than temporary constructions in providing protection from the weather.

'Temporary' – the simplest and quickest way to mark out an area is to use canvas partitioning. These can be moved easily, so are great if you your area needs to be flexible, and also have the advantage of offering advertising space, if you can find a sponsor. If you apply to the council to use a part of the pavement, these kinds of partitions are likely to form part of their conditions. When using these types of ‘walls’ make sure you anchor them down with weights, or bolt them into the ground so that a strong gust of wind doesn’t blow them over.

TIP – You should try to site your outdoor area so that the main wall is orientated against the prevailing wind. In this way you’ll afford customers the most protection from the wind and rain.

Think about leaving a gap between your ‘wall’ covering and any roof structure. It will cut down on the wall space used (as long as it is a sensible distance from the wall), so that you can cover other parts of the structure and will encourage natural ventilation to keep the smoke moving up and away from the smokers inside.