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Blog Posts (17)
- WHICH COVER SOLUTION IS RIGHT FOR MY VENUE? 1. AWNINGS
In true British Summer style, the less-than tropical weather has been a topic of conversation for staycationers, pub garden enthusiasts, golfers and the like. We are desperate to spend the summer months enjoying the great outdoors but with the weather changing like the wind (excuse the pun) and potential downpours, we are quickly drawn to those venues who have cosy and covered outdoor areas where we can still benefit from being outdoors whilst keeping warm and dry. Showpiece Design’s external cover solutions come in a range of shape and sizes so we can be sure to find the right fit for your venue. This series of blogs will delve into the different types of cover solutions, including awnings, jumbo umbrellas, pergolas and roof systems and we will explain the benefits and limitations of each so you can decide which cover solution would best be suited to you. Firstly, we will be looking at awnings and some FAQ’s we often get asked. What are awnings? Awnings are retractable structures that tend to be wall-mounted. They are versatile, provide shelter and protect from direct sunlight. How do they operate? Our motorised awnings come with an easy to use remote control, allowing you to retract your awning at a touch of a button. Traditional awnings are manually operated using a custom hook and pull down/push up system that triggers an internal spring. What sizes do they come in? All our awnings are made to measure and so can be tailored to fit your space exactly. The largest wall-mounted awning we do is 6m wide. Projection can be up to 3.5m and this is dependent on the width of the awning. Awnings can be paired side by side to cover a large area. Goal post and back-to-back awnings can be made to a maximum width of 7m. The system below had 3 back to back awnings butted up together covering an area of 21m long by 7m wide. Do they provide shade from the sun and protection from the rain? The fabric used on the awnings is made from high performance solution dyed acrylic which filter high percentages of UV rays and therefore provide excellent protection from the sun and have a UV protection factor of 80+. The acrylic fabrics have a special coating applied which gives it a level of water repellancy and will keep you dry during short and light periods of rain. If you are planning to use your awning during heavy rainfall, you will need to apply special formulated waterproof treatment which we can advise you on. There are also some waterproof fabrics that can be used and rain gutters can be added to ensure there are no gaps in between awnings, keeping those underneath dry. It is important to be aware that awnings are primarily designed for sun protection and protection from light rainfall and due to the structure of them, are best kept closed during bad weather or strong winds. In fact, we recommend installing a vibration sensor on your awning and when the wind picks up, they automatically retract in order to protect the arms and mechanism. What if I want an awning but my building does not allow it to be wall mounted? If there is not enough space for us to mount an awning, or if the structure of the building would not be strong enough to support an awning, we can fabricate a goal post frame that will be cemented underground. You also have the option of a self supporting back-to-back or butterfly awning which can either be anchored underground, or weighted with the use of weighted bases or planters. Can they be branded? Yes - they can be a great branding opportunity for your venue. They are completely customisable with over 100 fabrics to choose from, and can be printed with your company name and logo. Are they manual or motorised? Traditional awnings are manual and the cassette tends to be made from timber – these are particularly popular on restaurant fronts in older buildings and in conservation areas. More contemporary awnings are motorised and the retractable fabric and arms sits in an aluminium cassette. What colour options do I have? Both the timber and aluminium cassette can be painted/powder coated to any RAL colour and we have over 100 fabric choices to choose from in both plain and striped. The fabric used on awnings is a high performance solution dyed acrylic that has a 10 year warranty. What electrical supply is required for an awning? We would require access to a 5amp supply for a motorised awning. Can I add lights and heat to my awning? Yes! Our motorised awnings have the option of LED lights integrated into the front rail, back rail and arms. We can add wall-mounted infrared heaters under your awnings, complete with a 'push for heat' timer switch. Is my awning adjustable depending on the weather? Yes – you can adjust the tilt on the awning dependent on the sun's location, to ensure you get maximum shade. You are also able to stop the awning at any projection if you only want part of the patio covered. Will I need planning permission for an awning? Commercial properties usually need planning permission for awnings, as they may extend into public areas, and perhaps advertisement consent if you are going to have the awning branded. Please check with your local council as they will be able to advise whether it is likely planning permission will be granted for your venue. What is the process of ordering an awning? We will come and visit you to carry out a site survey to decide which awning will work best at your venue and to take measurements so we can quote for the job. We will also bring along our fabric swatches for you to decide on the colour of your awning. If you want the awning branded, we will require a high res logo to be sent to us. Once the quote is approved, you will be sent a design proof to be signed off. Once signed off, we will begin manufacture and this usually takes around 4 weeks. We will then be in touch to arrange installation with yourselves. We would require any obstructions such as signage, hanging baskets etc to be removed prior to us installing.
- WHICH COVER SOLUTION IS RIGHT FOR MY VENUE? 2. JUMBO UMBRELLAS
As we head into Autumn and embrace the changing season with frequent downpours and unpredictable temperatures, venues are looking for ways to shelter their outdoor seating areas so the end of summer does not mean the enjoyment of these outdoor spaces have to end. Showpiece Design’s external cover solutions come in a range of shape and sizes so we can be sure to find the right fit for your venue. This series of blogs will delve into the different types of cover solutions, including awnings, jumbo umbrellas, pergolas and roof systems and we will explain the benefits and limitations of each so you can decide which cover solution would best be suited to you. This blog will explore the huge range of jumbo umbrellas available and some FAQ’s we often get asked. What are jumbo umbrellas? At Showpiece Design we refer to 'parasols' and 'umbrellas'. Parasols typically sit through the centre of a table and come in set sizes (we stock 2.1m and 2.5m octagonal parasols). When we talk umbrellas, we are referring to the large, made to order umbrellas with a heavy-duty aluminium central mast that are typically ground anchored, or have very heavy supporting bases. How do they operate? Our jumbo umbrellas are manually operated using a Stainless Steel winding handle. Bevelled gears operating inside the mast ensure high precision and effortless operation, even after years of use. Will I have to move the tables and chairs when I close the umbrella? During the site survey, we will take into account the height of your terrace furniture and if required we will extend the central mast to ensure the umbrellas can be closed without you having to move any furniture. Also, most of our jumbo umbrellas are telescopic meaning that they extend upwards when they are being closed so all furniture can be left in place. What sizes do they come in? Our umbrellas come in 72 different sizes from 2m to 7m. There is a choice of round, square or rectangular canopies depending on the shape and size of your patio. We can also extend or shorten the height of the central mast to ensure the canopies are best placed as to not obstruct views. Do they provide shade from the sun and protection from the rain? The fabric used on the umbrellas is made from high performance solution dyed acrylic which filter high percentages of UV rays and therefore provide excellent protection from the sun and have a UV protection factor of 80+. The acrylic fabrics have a special coating applied which gives it a level of water repellancy and will keep you dry during short and light periods of rain. Overtime, the coating can wear off so we would recommended re-applying a waterproof treatment annually, which we can advise you on. There are also 100% waterproof PVC fabrics that can be used and rain gutters can be added to ensure there are no gaps in between umbrellas. Are umbrellas suitable for coastal areas or areas exposed to high winds? For those particularly windy areas, we have an ultra strong umbrella known as the Force 10 or Albatros. The mast measures 110mm (compared to 76mm on a standard umbrella), has reinforced spokes and marine grade fittings. It has been wind tunnel tested and stood the test of time in winds over 120km/hr. What is the warranty on the Showpiece jumbo umbrellas? Whilst the frame comes with a 2 year manufacturer's warranty, you can expect your umbrella to last for many years if well maintained. Each part on your umbrella is replaceable so it can be refurbished whenever required and even the smallest part can be replaced if damaged. What's more, we offer a yearly maintenance service to keep your umbrella in top condition. The fabric on your umbrella comes with a 10 year warranty against colour fastness and it's rot-proof properties. What does your yearly maintenance service involve and how much does it cost? We will collect, remove, return and reinstall your umbrella/s. The umbrellas are serviced at our workshop (an on-site service can also be arranged), cleaned and repaired if necessary. The service will include greasing all moving parts, replacing any hardware required, re-tensioning the membrane, tightening all bolts, jet-washing and cleaning the frame and laundering the membrane, re-impregnating it with Scotch Guard. We also have the capacity to store your umbrellas over the winter period if required. Our winter service cost starts from £495 + VAT. Click below to see what is included and the costs of this service. How often would I expect to replace the canopy of my jumbo umbrella? This is very dependent on environmental factors but to give a guideline, we would expect a canopy to be replaced every 5-10 years depending on how well looked after they are. We recommend they are laundered during this time and re-impregnated with Scotch Guard (we offer this service as part of our winter service). We have recently serviced the umbrellas below and replaced the canopy after 10 years. Do the umbrellas have to be cemented underground? Where possible, we recommend the umbrella bases are cemented underground as this ensures you are getting the strongest and most wind resistant version of your umbrella. However there are plenty of options available if this is not possible. We have deck plates that can be secured to joists under decking and free-standing bases which consist of a steel frame filled with paving slabs. We typically then cover this base with a timber seat box, which can be painted and accessorised with a cushion so it can be used as extra seating. What groundwork is involved for the in-ground anchors? We will send you the in-ground sleeve/s 2 weeks prior to the install date. We recommend this is set into 80cm 3 of concrete below the patio. An example of installation instructions can be downloaded here: Can the umbrellas be branded? Yes - they can be a great branding opportunity for your venue. They are completely customisable with over 100 fabrics to choose from and can be printed with your company name and logo. What colour options do I have? The frames come as standard in white, black or anthracite. If you are looking for a specific colour to match your brand colours, they can also be powder coated to any RAL colour. In terms of the canopy, we have over 100 fabric choices to choose from in both plain and stripes. Can I specify a particular fabric for the canopy? Yes you can, we have worked on a number of projects where the client has specified a certain fabric. Please note that it is important to ensure the fabric has good enough weather, fade and rot resistant properties to withstand the UK climate. We can also screen print fabric to match a certain colour or design. It is important to note here that screen printed fabric does have limitations; it is a Polyester fabric, rather than a solution dyed Acrylic so is not as strong or fade resistant so we would expect the canopy to need replacing every 2-3 years. Can I add lights and heat to my umbrella? Yes! We can add LED strip lighting along the umbrella spokes in either warm white or RGB, meaning you can change them to any colour you wish. Infrared heaters can be added around the central mast on folding arms, or on the end of the corner spokes, on swivel brackets. You then have the option for us to fit a 'push-for-heat' timer switch to the central mast so the heaters automatically turn off after 15 minutes (this time can be altered) and can be controlled by your guests. What electrical supply is required for an umbrella? We would require access to a 5amp supply if you add lights, and a 32amp c-rated supply if you add heaters per umbrella. What other accessories are available for my umbrellas? Alongside light and heat, you can add a phone charging station and outdoor speakers to your jumbo umbrellas. Can I add sides to my umbrella? Yes we can add side sheets to your umbrella/s giving a gazebo-like effect and to provide some protection from the wind. The side sheets are made in the same acrylic fabric as the canopy, and can have clear PVC windows added to let light into the space. Will I need planning permission for a jumbo umbrella? In most cases, you won't need to get planning permission on free standing umbrellas that can be moved and taken down if needed. However, if you're planning to permanently fix an umbrella using an in-ground sleeve, especially if it's going to cover a pavement or public area, you may need planning permission. This is because permanent fixtures can be considered building works. Please check with your local council as they will be able to advise whether planning permission will be required, and if it will likely be granted. What is the process of ordering an umbrella? We will come and visit you to carry out a site survey to measure up and decide which size umbrella/s will work best at your venue and which base is best. We will also bring along our fabric swatches for you to decide on the colour of the membranes. If you want the membrane branded, we will require a high res logo to be sent to us. Once the quote is approved, you will be sent a design proof to be signed off. What is the lead time? Once signed off, we will begin manufacture and this usually takes between 6-8 weeks. We will then be in touch to arrange installation with yourselves. We would require any obstructions such as signage, hanging baskets etc to be removed prior to us installing. If using an in-ground anchor, this will be sent to site approximately 2 weeks prior to install.
- PREPARE FOR SUMMER
It looks as if Spring has well and truly sprung! The days are getting longer and the evenings warmer, with that in mind are you ready to offer your customers the ultimate alfresco experience they will remember and that keeps them coming back time and time again? If the answer is 'not quite yet' then our experts are here and ready to help! We offer free site surveys with design advice to help you create stunning and practical settings that will help maximize your return on investment. With an expansive UK head office and warehouse facility in Berkshire. We can offer our clients quick turnarounds and lead times to meet there deadlines. If you would like some information on what we do please email or call us! (sales@showpiecedesign.co.uk / 0118 984 3486) #ShowpieceDesign #ExternalFurniture #NewInstall #Easter #ShowpieceBlog #Spring #PubGarden
Other Pages (58)
- Bar Tables | Showpiece Design
External tables including weave, wood, metal, plastic... BAR TABLES Bring people together — bar tables made for busy venues and relaxed outdoor moments. From rooftop bars to garden terraces, our bar tables create the perfect spot for guests to relax and connect. Crafted from hard-wearing materials and built for commercial use, they’re as strong as they are stylish. Choose from a range of finishes to complement your outdoor space and complete the ultimate alfresco setup. Sort by Rustic Barrel Table Chiltern Bar Table 1.2m x 0.6m Toulouse Bar Height Fire Pit Table 1.2m Toulouse Square Bar Table Black 0.7m Toulouse Round Bar Table Black 0.7m Toulouse Pedestal Bar Height Table 0.7m Venice Bar Table Grey 0.7m Zanzibar Bar Table 1.5m x 0.9m Gabion Dining/Bar Table Scaffold Bar Height Table Base Chiltern Bar Table 1.5m x 0.8m Chiltern Bar Table 0.6m Chiltern Bar Table 0.8m Blewbury Bar Table 0.8m Blewbury Bar
- All External Chairs | Showpiece Design Ltd
CHAIRS Chairs that work hard, look good, and last season after season. Combining elegant lines with commercial-grade strength, our chair collection offers a perfect balance of style and performance. Available in metal, timber, rattan, and rope, each piece is crafted for durability, comfort, and visual impact — ideal for venues that want every seat to make a statement. Sort by Alma Stacking Armchair Saffron Yellow Alma Stacking Armchair Chilli Red Alma Stacking Armchair Olive Green Alma Stacking Armchair Nickel Grey Alma Stacking Armchair Black Cotswold Folding Dining Chair -Reseda Green Cotswold Folding Dining Chair - Beige Padstow Lite Stacking Armchair Grey Padstow Lite Stacking Armchair Beige Padstow Lite Stacking Armchair Orange Tiberina Stacking Armchair Dove Grey Tiberina Stacking Armchair Anthracite Doga Lounge Chair Olive Green Doga Lounge Chair Anthracite Vox Stacking Side Chair Jute Vox Stacking Side Chair Grey Vox Stacking Side Chair Black Bude Blue Side Chair Bude Blue Armchair with Cushion Madrid Stacking Side Chair Mustard Madrid Stacking Side Chair Army Green Bordeaux Stacking Bistro Stool Taupe Bordeaux Stacking Bistro Stool Black & White Bude Taupe Side Chair Bude Grey Side Chair Bude Olive Side Chair Bude Terracotta Side Chair Bude Taupe Armchair with Cushion Bude Grey Armchair with Cushion Bude Olive Armchair with Cushion Bude Terracotta Armchair with Cushion Padstow Wood Effect Armchair with Cushion Load More
- Commercial Garden Furniture | Showpiece Design | England
At Showpiece Design we supply commerical grade external furniture, umbrellas, awnings, roof systems, parasols, BBQ's and accessiors. Hardwood furnitre in oub garden with cream parasols and blankets Hardwood furnitre in oub garden with cream parasols and blankets 1/11 Transform your outdoor space with expert hospitality design, furniture, and cover solutions. With over 25 years of experience, Showpiece Design is the trusted partner for some of the biggest names in UK hospitality. We design, supply, and install everything you need to create high-performing outdoor spaces — from commercial-grade furniture and awnings to large umbrellas, roof systems, and accessories. Our team supports you from concept to completion, offering expert space planning and full installation. Whether you’re looking to extend your season, increase revenue, or simply create an unforgettable alfresco experience, we’ll help you make the most of your outdoor space — beautifully, efficiently, and built to last. DOWNLOAD 2026 BROCHURE FURNITURE VIEW HERE ACCESSORIES VIEW HERE PERGOLAS VIEW HERE PARASOLS VIEW HERE UMBRELLAS VIEW HERE ROOF SYSTEMS VIEW HERE AWNINGS VIEW HERE BANNERS VIEW HERE END OF SEASON SALE VIEW HERE PRODUCT GALLERY Alma Stacking Armchair Saffron Yellow Alma Stacking Armchair Chilli Red Alma Stacking Armchair Olive Green Alma Stacking Armchair Nickel Grey Alma Stacking Armchair Black Cotswold Folding Dining Table 0.7m - Reseda Green Cotswold Folding Dining Table 0.7m - Beige Cotswold Folding Dining Chair -Reseda Green Cotswold Folding Dining Chair - Beige Padstow Lite Stacking Armchair Grey Padstow Lite Stacking Armchair Beige Padstow Lite Stacking Armchair Orange Boho Hardwood Parasol 2.3m -Betty Boho Hardwood Parasol 2.3m - Mary Boho Hardwood Parasol 2.4m - Rupert Boho Hardwood Premium Parasol 2.3m - Louis Boho Hardwood Parasol 2.3m - Freddie Pergola Sliding Glass Doors - 4.0m Pergola Sliding Glass Doors - 3.6m Pergola Sliding Glass Doors - 3.0m Gazebo Side Sheets Tiberina Stacking Armchair Dove Grey Tiberina Stacking Armchair Anthracite Doga Lounge Chair Olive Green “We were looking for high quality outdoor furniture for our pub gardens. Showpiece had everything we were looking for, the service was first class, delivery was prompt and the furniture looks superb, we would highly recommend their services” McManus Pub Co








