I had no hesitation going back to A&S for another canopy because I knew I was going to get value for money.
The way in which A&S work is really superb. I am very pleased with the quality of the design and the construction.
A&S Landscape gave us the care and attention that we required. The team’s communication was excellent.
Dining Area Canopies
Dining outdoors is one of life’s great pleasures and more and more schools and organisations are recognising the enormous positive impact that eating ‘alfresco’ can have on their pupils. When considering outdoor dining in the UK we must also consider shelter from the weather. Dining area canopies and dining room extensions will create covered seating areas allowing students to take a sandwich outside and socialise with friends. This promotes a welcome feeling of relaxation and well-being which in turn has a positive effect on productivity and the ability to learn.
Benefits of a Dining Canopy
Many schools benefit from the positive impacts of installing a dining canopy. These include relieving pressure from the existing, internal dining and cafeteria space and allowing students to eat their lunch ‘alfresco’ which has many mental health benefits. Dining area shelters are also a cost-effective alternative to extending the school building, as often planning permission isn’t required.
Dining Area Canopies Prices
A&S Landscape offers a number of products that can provide ideal shelter for dining and seating areas with options to suit all requirements and budgets. We always keep in mind the aesthetics of the building and the space available for a dining area canopy and can work with clients to make maximum use of the space and budget available. There are many reasons to consider a dining area canopy, many of the schools across the UK we have worked with have required a large outdoor dining area to accommodate pupils at lunchtimes, a cheaper alternative to extending the dining room.
As with all our products, the best way to get a covered outdoor dining area canopy cost is to talk to us or you can visit our prices page for details of how to contact us for pricing. As a basic rule, a straight roof canopy will cost less than a curved roof dining area canopy and a one-way sloping roof (as opposed to pitched or barrel vault design) will save on guttering (if required).
Dining Area Canopy Designs
No two dining area canopies are ever the same and thanks to our design flexibility we can offer workable and affordable canopy solutions incorporating a variety of different features to allow for almost any requirement but based on one of our standard dining area canopy products. A member of our design team can discuss and suggest the best dining area canopy solution to meet your requirements, outlining our recommendations along with a comprehensive estimate.
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Dining Area Canopy Ideas
Motiva Duo™ John Taylor High School in Staffordshire Add External Dining Area Canopy
Motiva Linear™ Wednesfield High Academy Add Dining Canopy
Maxima Retractable Canopy Kingsmead School in Stafford Add Retractable Roof Canopy
Bespoke Motiva Canopy Whitecross High School in Herefordshire add Covered Dining Area
Maxima Retractable Canopy Kingsmead School in Stafford Add Retractable Roof Canopy
Motiva Linear™ The Avon Valley School in Warwickshire Install Dining Area Canopy
Motiva Duo™ St Wilfrid's Catholic High School, Pontefract add Enclosed Dining Area with Light and Heat
Motiva Duo™ The Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School Dining Shelter
Look through some of our dining area canopy projects we have completed
Semi-enclosed Dining Shelter Made for The Chantry School in Worcester
The Chantry School had decided that it was time to create a new outdoor dining space for its students to enjoy. The area in question was exposed to the elements and so a shelter was needed to make it useable throughout the year. A&S Landscape installed a Motiva Mono™ curved roof shelter, complete with side panels along a section of the structure. Because we are all about the attention to detail, we even added the school’s logo to the panels. We are thrilled with the finished product, it has created a welcoming area for the students to enjoy their lunch outside all year round. Thanks to the side panels, the students will be protected from even the harshest of winds. It has truly transformed the area. Click here to visit our project page and learn more about the dining shelter we designed for The Chantry School.
Purple Framed Dining Canopy at Thistley Hough Academy in Staffordshire
Located in Stoke-on-Trent, Thistley Hough Academy had just added a food pod to their site and were looking for a covered seating solution to complete the area. A&S Landscape was chosen to supply and install a Motiva Duo™ dining area canopy at the school, to an overall size of 10000mm x 5000mm. With Signal Violet coloured steelwork, the shelter not only matches the school’s logo but adds a pop of colour to the area. Now the students can get their food from the pod and find a seat outside, no matter the weather conditions – what a great solution to a busy dining hall! What’s more, is that they can spend more time in the fresh air, which can benefit their mental and physical health. It’s a win-win scenario! You can see more about the purple dining area shelter we designed for Thistley Hough Academy here.
Fabric Outdoor Dining Area Canopy Installed The Perse School in Cambridge
Wellbeing is at the heart of the values of The Perse School in Cambridge. A lot of thought went into how they could complement their existing external areas by providing an outside dining area canopy that would blend with the lovely surroundings. The school’s chosen option was for two Maxima StarSail canopies. The real beauty of the covered outside dining area that the school created was not just the aesthetic effect of the elegant sail-shaped awnings, but the shade that was achieved from the sun in summer. Not only that, but with the use of waterproof fabric, the area is also the perfect shelter from the rain. The ability to configure this particular type of dining area canopy to suit the space available also meant that the school was able to create a bespoke look that fits perfectly into its grounds. This project is a great example of the versatility of outdoor dining canopies for schools. To read more about The Perse School’s outdoor dining area and its lovely fabric shade sail canopy, click here.
Meole Brace Secondary School in Shropshire Install a Blue Outside Dining Shelter
It’s a mealtime double-whammy at Meole Brace Secondary School in Shropshire! Not only have they created a fabulous outside dining area, but they also decided to add a dining pod to alleviate pressure on the main dining hall and cafeteria. The school had wanted to create an outside seating area that would allow the students to use the space year-round. But the addition of this all-weather resource doesn’t just give students an outside dining shelter, it also offers an opportunity for teachers to use the space to deliver lessons outside. What set out as a covered outside dining area has become an all-purpose space that has added value to the school on many levels. This shows the creative ways that additional dining area canopies can be used. Better still, it’s easy to show to governors the cost-benefit analysis of a school dining area canopy because the popularity amongst the students speaks for itself. Read more about Meole Brace Secondary School’s dining shelter.
The Avon Valley School in Warwickshire Add Straight Roof Dining Canopy
Our design team thoroughly enjoyed creating a dining area shelter for The Avon Valley School. After carefully reviewing the proposed area, we decided upon using the Motiva Linear with the simple, yet effective addition of side panels. Complete with Gentian Blue steelwork, opal polycarbonate roofing, the area has been completely transformed. The students can order their food at the wooden hut next to the shelter and then choose a place to sit from the many benches under the roof. Even it is pouring with rain, the sheltered seating area can be used and the students can enjoy some fresh air during the day. The covered space could even be used during lessons, creating an outdoor classroom. Keep reading about the dining shelter at The Avon Valley School here.
Dining Area Canopy Design Options
We used A&S Landscape because they were very competitive on price and so good at communication.
Business Manager - Kingsmead School
View ProjectFeatured Dining Area Canopy Project
Our Lady’s RC High School in Manchester add Large Outdoor Dining Canopy
What was the project brief?
Our Lady’s RC High School in Blackley, Manchester recognise the key part a comfortable environment plays for the well-being of their students. While a large amount of a child’s school day is usually spent within the confines of the classroom, the school wanted to ensure that their students had access to outdoor space in their breaks – all year round. It was important to Our Lady’s RC High School that the children were able to appreciate the fresh air, while also enjoying a good dining experience.
They realised that the best way to achieve this was to transform their unused outdoor space, into an outdoor covered dining area – complete with all the dining facilities such as tables, chairs and rubbish bins. As the school canopy expert, A&S Landscape was called in to help them with the entire process. This meant discussing the wide range of canopies on offer, how the canopy could be designed to better suit their needs, and once the school were happy – the manufacturer and design.
What was our outdoor dining canopy solution?
The school canopy that was selected as the best solution was the Motiva Duo™. Measuring at 12000mm x 8000mm, this was to be a large dining area canopy. The Motiva Duo™ has a genuine polycarbonate roof, and a Dura-coat™ finish, offering excellent quality weather protection at all times of the year. The addition of side panels formed an enclosed area and created the much-loved outside eating area for the students of Our Lady’s RC High School.
What was the result of outdoor dining canopy?
The new dining area canopy has gone down a treat with the children, who are happy they can now enjoy the large outdoor dining area and can enjoy a better student dining experience – eating outside and socialising with their friends. The staff and teachers are also much happier now that dining capacity has increased, and the area is essentially used as the over-flow canteen. Now with the additional dining space, there is less pressure on the canteen and other indoor eating areas, with shorter lunch lines. No longer are children using valuable time during their lunch break waiting for dining tables to become free, nor are they having to rush their food to ensure they are back to their classes on time. And the side panels also helps to keep the students safe from the wind, rain or snow. This means the children are using their lunch break for what they should be used for – to relax!
Testimonial / Client Feedback
“I’d heartily recommend A&S Landscape to any other school or any other potential customer and we have done so. I’d very gladly work with them again.”
-Ian Gosling, Headteacher at Our Lady’s RC High School
About the client
Our Lady’s RC High School is a catholic school located in the suburban area Blackley, within the city of Manchester. The school is made up of a lovely team of individuals who were friendly throughout the process and were extremely helpful when it came to discussing the options with them. They certainly made our job easier by being so efficient with communication. We are so pleased we could help them create their outdoor dining area and further improve the school life of the students.
Why invest in a dining area canopy?
Outdoor dining canopies are beneficial to you whether you are a school, university, commercial business, or a public attraction, or any other business or organisation that requires to accommodate eating
. Also exquisitely named outdoor dining and social canopies, they can be a hugely valuable investment. Here are a few reasons why they are worth investing in:
- The benefits of eating outside have long been documented, and so it’s no wonder we are all turning to outdoor dining rooms. Research has suggested that food can even taste and digest better.
- As long as there is space available, a large outdoor dining area is in your reach. It’s a cost-effective solution that provides weather protection, gives room for outdoor entertaining and eases congestion on indoor areas. Additional features to outdoor dining canopies include heaters, lighting and power.
- Generally being outdoors is great for physical and mental health, it lowers rates of anxiety and depression, and increases concentration levels. Absorption of Vitamin D from the sunlight increases, which can help alleviate the chances of strokes, heart disease and other health problems.
- Outdoor dining canopies can bring use to unloved spaces. Providing your customers or students with a place to eat is always a good option – seeing as it’s something we do every day!
- Many of us are opting to take the ‘good dining experience’ to the next level. A dining area canopy is a great way to achieve this – just add your dining tables or picnic benches, and you’re good to go!
Why choose A&S Landscape?
We offer a whole range of canopies that can suit your needs. Whatever space you have available, and whether it’s a dining area canopy, or a timber playground canopy – at A&S Landscape, we have you covered!
We have been helping our architects, school business managers and business owners to find the canopy that is special and unique to them for over 44 years. In this time, we have developed a wealth of knowledge, but have continued to offer a friendly, reliable and trustworthy service as part of our family-run business. If you need some inspiration, feel free to look through our product gallery, and at our other completed canopy and shelter projects.
We’re always happy to help find your ideal solution to your outdoor cover, – so please get in touch with our friendly team on 01743 636176 or at [email protected].
Our Lady's RC High School Before and After
Before
After
Accreditations
The Condensed Guide To Outdoor Dining Area Design in Schools
When you’re designing (or re-designing) your dining areas to meet the changing needs of your school, there’s a lot to take into account. From the statutory minimum dining area you need to provide, to the welfare and happiness of the children, the challenge of balancing your responsibilities with your budget is not going to be easy.
The Department for Education provides a technical document for project managers (Area Guidelines for Mainstream Schools, Building Bulletin 103, June 2014), which, for those of you with a technical mind, you can access here.
We’ve looked at the whole thing and extracted the relevant information on outdoor dining areas. So whether you’re doing the planning yourself or overseeing your main contractor while they complete the process, you’ll remain informed and assured that your plans are fit for purpose and will meet the needs of your school.
You’ll see that even outdoor dining spaces need to meet strict guidance on accessibility, space, capacity, H&S and other regulations.
Dining Area Space Allocation
The total area of spaces used for dining should allow an amount per cover, or dining place. The number of covers should be based on the predicted number of pupils who would eat lunch on site (including packed lunches) divided by the number of ‘sittings’ or equivalent (if continuous flow) in the lunch break. Crucially, the number of sittings will depend on the time available for lunch.
You can request our graph which shows the range of area needed, depending on the time available and therefore the number of sittings possible. It is important to note that the lower recommended area for dining is only sufficient if the lunchtime available is at least an hour. This may be achieved by a single lunch break for all pupils or by a ‘split lunch’ break.
Remember
“A good dining experience gives schools a happier and calmer population of children, supports an increased uptake of school meals, and makes a significant contribution to your Health and Wellbeing inspection”
Department of Education, Northern Ireland
Dining Area Design
When designing your dining room facilities whether indoors or outdoors, you need to ensure:
- There are sufficient tables and seating for dining ‘covers’ and space to access them
- You have allowed adequate space for the number of pupils, taking into account the length of meal breaks and number of servings (the statutory minimum requirement is covered in this document)
- There is sufficient queueing space up to and in front of any servery if relevant
- There are adequate clearance areas and waste disposal
- Where required, there are satellite or temporary servery areas
- Wheelchair/disabled access is available to all areas
- There are sufficient bins and recycling points where appropriate
- Where you are planning outdoor spaces, that the plans meet the relevant construction regulations (e.g. CDM 2015)
- That the environment you are creating is conducive to a good dining experience
In secondary schools, there can also be opportunities to create a much wider range of eating spaces within the dining area allocation, such as cafés and buffet areas that also become social spaces. The area may include further provision for cold meals or snacks, for instance from vending machines.
Social spaces specifically for sixth form pupils may be used for eating cold food, from vending machines or a satellite servery.
In addition to these specific requirements for dining areas, the Department for Education document also outlines the minimum space required for the area designated for ‘Halls, Dining and PE’, regardless of pupil numbers. You can request this here.
Output Specification Generic Design Brief
Away from the ‘Area Guidelines’ document, the Government’s ‘Output Specifications Generic Design Brief’ document also contains instructions for the design and build of dining areas. Our Condensed Guide Number 4 contains general advice for the use of this document, or you can request the whole thing here.
Specific to dining spaces, it states the following:
2.3.12 Dining and Kitchen Suite (including main halls in Primary Special and AP)
2.3.12.1 The Contractor shall ensure that the areas of any dining space(s) provided are as identified in the School-Specific SoA and ADS and are designed to accommodate any catering arrangements of the School set out in the SSB. Specific requirements, including whether dining will be dispersed around the School, rather than in a single location or, may be given in the SSB. Where required, the dining area shall be designed to allow other functions to take place, with the internal environment designed to cater for any different activities specified in the SSB
2.3.12.3 As well as responding to any specific requirements in the SSB, the Contractor shall ensure that any area provided for use as a dining space shall:
- in a Whole School Project, be easily accessible from all areas, conveniently positioned in relation to the kitchen and/ or serving areas, and be designed so that the space can be used during timetabled lessons without disturbing pupils who are working nearby
- have sufficient circulation or other space next to the dining area for queuing and circulation at mealtimes, including for those using Mobility Equipment, without impinging on the dining tables
- have an efficient layout with adequate seating capacity
2.3.12.4 Where a specific dining area is required in the School-Specific SoA and ADS, the contractor shall ensure that it is designed so that there is adequate space for till points, where required, and serving areas to service the number of diners in any sitting, as given in the School-Specific SoA and ADS or SSB. Where required in the SSB or the School-Specific SoA and ADS, the Contractor shall also design the space to facilitate the requirements for distribution of food to dining areas in other areas of the School
3.4.1.8 In dining areas, the Contractor shall ensure that the FF&E [Fittings, Furniture and Equipment] used, and the associated FF&E layout meets the following requirements.
- There is a logical flow of pupils round the dining space from arrival, queuing to collect food (both hot and cold) eating and self-clearing, based on the number of lunch sessions, the number of pay stations (where relevant) and the hot/cold split, as outlined in the School- Specific SoA and ADS and SSB.
- Space is provided for food vending trolleys and dirty/waste collection points.
- There is sufficient circulation space for pupils to move between dining tables and to allow a wheelchair user to access some tables and dine alongside other pupils.
- The servery has a tray slide and supports to ensure an efficient service and pupils’ safety
- There is adequate seating capacity for the allocated amount of time and the number of pupils, as specified in the SSB.
- Provision of storage furniture with sufficient space around it, as defined in the SSB.
Dining Shelter in Wiltshire at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy
Everybody loves a bit of fresh air, and Royal Wootton Bassett Academy were especially keen to add additional space to their outdoor grounds. Adding a dining shelter would give their staff and students an extra area to unwind and socialise during the lunch period, plus they knew it would do a world of good to their health both physically and mentally. Having already been impressed with the designs offered by A&S Landscape, Royal Wootton Bassett Academy reached out wanting a shelter that would have multi-purpose. Protection from all-weather types, but also an appealing and eye-catching outdoor area that would be an incentive for their students to head outside during break times. After an initial consultation, the design team installed a Motiva Linear™ with Mint Turquoise steelwork with Opal roofing. Royal Wootton Bassett Academy were incredibly pleased with their new dining shelter – the finished product had the exact look and feel they were after. It was modern in its appearance, and the perfect space where their children could relax. We were extremely delighted to be able to create a space that served all the needs of this school, they were a pleasure to collaborate with during the entire process. Click here to find out some more about this outdoor dining shelter for Royal Wootton Bassett Academy.
Dining Canopy at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Gloucestershire
With the unpredictable British Weather, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College were hoping to have some shelter just outside their canteen. They needed something that offered a shield on those wet rainy days, but also protection from the hot sunny days. With a shade sail structure in mind, the school reached out to A&S Landscape, which led to the installation of the eye-catching and stylish Maxima Sail™, in Gentian Blue steelwork, finished with a lovely green fabric roof. They told us that it has completely uplifted and enhanced the whole look of the cafeteria area. Everyone is thoroughly enjoying the new dining area as it is the perfect unique space where staff and students can eat and socialise outdoors no matter the season. The shelter can also be used as an outdoor classroom, which has proved to be very popular amongst all attending the college. We were delighted to assist and guide this college to ensure we delivered a solution of a high standard. Learn more about this shade sail structure, for South Gloucestershire and Stroud College here.
Outdoor Shelters at Ryde Academy in the Isle of Wight
With two canopies being an essential necessity, Ryde Academy wanted to have a dining area plus an extra shelter and space joining their sports pitches. High quality, value for money and aesthetically pleasing were important criteria to the staff of this school. After a thorough consultation with A&S Landscape, Ryde Academy chose Motiva Mono™ for their courtyard and dining shelter, with lovely glazed panels providing the protection they were looking for no matter what the weather served, along with a Motiva Duo™ for the canopy next to the sports pitches – providing ample space with a very easy on the eye curved roof design. Installing these two facilities has significantly reduced pressures on the indoor facilities at Ryde Academy – now there is ample space where children can spend their lunchtimes and also use the sports pitch shelter regardless of the weather. We were extremely proud to be able to provide the school with not one but two canopies, especially within their budget without compromising on the quality and durability of both shelters. You can learn more about these outdoor shelters for Ryde Academy here.
Dining Canopy at St Mary’s and St John’s CE School in Greater London
St Mary’s and St John’s CE School
were keen to reduce the pressures on their indoor cafeteria facilities, with the additional benefit of providing a space where their pupils could enjoy their break times if they wished to. After a detailed discussion with A&S Landscape, the school chose a Motiva Duo™ – an ideal outdoor dining area, as it is both appealing and effective in its standalone structure. Having this large outdoor dining canopy, made to a size of 10000mm x 8000mm, has certainly reduced the queues indoors during lunchtimes. Plus it’s been a great meeting point for pupils to socialise and dine without worrying about the unpredictable British weather. The canopy is both classic and robust, which were two important factors to the school when they approached us. We were pleased to provide a product that was extremely useful to St Mary’s and St John’s CE School, and one which respected their budget. Working with this school was extremely easy and effortless as they were incredibly polite, professional and helpful during the entire process from start to finish. Click here for more details on this dining canopy installation for St Mary’s and St John’s CE School.
Dining Shelter in Merseyside at Lord Derby Academy
Lord Derby Academy
were keen to invest in increasing their outdoor seating capacity. This would help reduce the pressure of overcrowding in their indoor facilities during break and lunchtimes. With an additional dining area outside, staff and students could enjoy the fresh air during the lunch period, plus socialise with their peers and friends. A&S Landscape installed a Motiva Duo™ curved roof canopy, featuring Wine Red steelwork and Opal polycarbonate roofing. Everyone at the school loves their new shelter – they can now dine and socialise outside regardless of the weather, plus it’s aesthetically pleasing too! They have been impressed with the versatility of this canopy as they can also use it as an outdoor classroom, which will add some excitement to their lessons and help motivate the students’ learning. It was a real pleasure collaborating with this great school. Click here to find out more about the dining shelter canopy at Lord Derby Academy.
Read more of our featured dining canopy projects
Dining Area Canopy Installed at St Wilfrid’s RC College in West Yorkshire
The cost of an extension can be prohibitive to a stretched school budget. This was the challenge facing St Wilfrid’s RC College in Featherstone, West Yorkshire. Guaranteeing the health and wellbeing of their students during lunchtimes was a priority that they needed to address. The school’s existing facilities could only accommodate half of the required student capacity. This is where A&S Landscape came in. They designed an alternative structure to support the required dining capacity. Using the features of the curved roof canopy of the Motiva Duo range as the basis for a new dining area canopy, A&S Landscape then added glass panelling and a door to enclose the facility so that it could be used all-year-round. With the addition of heating and lighting, the space became a comfortable eating area. As an additional bespoke flourish, A&S Landscape added St Wilfrid’s logo to the glass panelling. To read more about the dining area canopy at St Wilfrid’s RC College, click here.
Outside Dining Canopy Installed at Rhymney Comprehensive School in Tredegar, South Wales
Rhymney Comprehensive School in Tredegar is surrounded by rolling green fields. Even on the rainiest days, there’s nothing better than taking in the fresh air and the views. So when the school decided that an outside canopy would enable their pupils to be outside more, A&S Landscape knew that there’d be an option to suit. Initially spoilt for choice, the school eventually settled on the Motiva Duo model, adding an opal effect roof and finished in Squirrel Grey. This created a space that the students immediately embraced, and the shelter is in demand even on the rainier days. The school now plans to add seating and tables so the space can be used for outside dining. The benefit of an outside dining canopy is that the space will be used even more, and we’re sure that there’ll be plenty of competition from the students to grab a seat at lunchtime! See why the students at Rhymney Comprehensive School will be flocking to use this canopied outside dining space here.
Curved Roof Dining Area Canopy Project Completed at Rushcliffe School in Nottingham
This was a real makeover project for A&S Landscape! From an ugly duckling in a sorry state to a swan sitting pride of place in the former quad area of the school. When Rushcliffe School in Nottingham approached us for a solution, they already knew that they wanted to revamp the area which was unused. The aim of the project was to increase the amount of dining space for students, and the school was keen to create an outside eating area, protected by a dining area canopy. As the school had grown, they needed to bring in to use areas of the building that were not adding value. The Motiva Duo dining area canopy range was perfect for this refurbishment project. The area was turned quickly and efficiently into a usable space that provided students with a quality outside eating area. Find out about the dining area canopy we installed at Rushcliffe School.
West Hatch High School in Essex at Freestanding, Curved Roof Shelter
West Hatch High School needed to find a solution to their cramped dining hall which wouldn’t break the bank. A&S Landscape had the perfect option in mind, which came in the form of an outdoor dining shelter. Our installation team added a Motiva Duo™ curved roof canopy to the school, complete with Brown Red coloured steelwork. The covered space can now be used as additional seating for the students during lunchtimes, relieving pressure from the existing facilities. As a cost-effective alternative to a formal building extension, it’s no surprise that more and more schools are choosing to install a dining shelter. Click here to see more about the dining shelter we made for West Hatch High School.
Sale High School Add Curved Roof Shelter in Greater Manchester
An underused decking area was the focus for this project at Sale High School. The school needed to create more space for the students during lunchtime and decided to revamp an unloved area on campus. Our design and installation team completely transformed the space into an outdoor dining area, complete with a newly tarmacked surface and curved roof canopy. With the simple addition of a few benches, the area can be used by the students who are looking for an alfresco lunch experience. Covering an overall area of 10000mm x 6000mm, there is plenty of room for many students to enjoy the space. Head over to our project page to see more about the dining shelter at Sale High School.