Thrybergh Country Park Cafe Adds Waterproof Sail Canopy

Thrybergh Country Park Cafe is located in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The park is located beside a reservoir and attracts walkers, families, and nature lovers year-round. The cafe serves takeaway food and drinks to visitors who enjoy the lakeside views. The management wanted to improve outdoor seating as part of a bigger refurbishment project.

Project Overview

Maxima Sail®

Steelwork:

Squirrel Grey - RAL NO. 7000
Waterproof Fabric:

Pepper

The cafe was being upgraded through council funding to boost tourism and leisure in the area, and new outdoor seating and public space were planned around the building. These improvements would give visitors better views across the park and lake. The cafe needed shelter that worked with the natural setting and kept guests comfortable in all weather.

The park is in a Green Belt area, so any new structure had to blend with the surroundings. Visitor numbers can jump at weekends and during school holidays, so the outdoor space needed to handle busy periods without blocking paths or views. The council wanted a solution that supported visitor comfort and longer stays at the cafe.

Challenges

Weather exposure: Rain and wind often made outdoor seating uncomfortable for cafe visitors.
Natural setting: Any structure had to suit the park environment and meet Green Belt planning rules.
Visitor experience: The cafe needed shelter that didn’t block the popular reservoir views.
Ground conditions: Soft ground near the lake and wet paths required careful foundation planning.

Our Solution

A&S Landscape worked with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council from the planning stage. The cafe terrace overlooks the lake, so we needed a design that added shelter without blocking sightlines. After reviewing the space and visitor flow, we recommended a Maxima Sail™ canopy.

This waterproof fabric sail suited the park setting well. The canopy measures 6,000mm by 6,000mm and covers the main seating area beside the cafe. The sail shape fits naturally into the open park surroundings. Its design allows clear views of the reservoir while giving full weather protection.

The steel frame was finished in Squirrel Grey RAL 7000 to blend with the natural tones of the park. The fabric was chosen in Pepper, a neutral shade that suits the lakeside environment. Our team worked around the cafe refurbishment schedule to complete the installation.

Key Features and Materials

Structure: Steel frame in RAL 7000 Squirrel Grey with our Duracoat™ finish for weather resistance.
Roofing: Waterproof PVC fabric in Pepper offering full rain protection and UV blocking.
Sail design: Curved tension fabric creates an eye-catching shape that suits outdoor leisure spaces.
Posts: Steel uprights finished to match the frame with secure ground fixing for soft terrain.
Sides: Fully open design maintains airflow and uninterrupted views across the reservoir

Results

All-weather seating: Visitors can now enjoy outdoor dining in rain and strong sun.
Extended stays: Comfortable covered space encourages guests to spend longer at the cafe.
Protected views: The sail design shelters seating without blocking sight of the lake.
Natural fit: The neutral colours and fabric shape blend well with the park setting.

Conclusion

Thrybergh Country Park Cafe now has a covered outdoor area that works throughout the year. The Maxima Sail™ canopy gives visitors weather protection while keeping the space open and light. The design respects the natural setting and supports the council’s plans to improve the park, and guests can relax with lake views in comfort, rain or shine.

This project shows how fabric canopies suit public leisure spaces. The installation supports visitor wellbeing and helps the cafe serve more people outdoors. The canopy is built to handle the British weather and daily use by families and park visitors. A&S Landscape was pleased to deliver a practical and attractive solution for this popular country park.