Design Guide for Tables and Chairs on the Highway

Introduction

North East Lincolnshire Council is happy to support and encourage continental style pavement cafés.  We wish to ensure that they enhance the appearance of the street scene (public realm).

This guide sets out the types of furniture and other equipment that are likely to be acceptable in North East Lincolnshire

Setting

There is a range of areas in North East Lincolnshire from the town centre streets of Grimsby and waterfront areas, to the resort area of Cleethorpes. It is anticipated that owners and managers of premises may wish to have visibility in the street and attract customers.  However this should not compete with or dominate the buildings or street-scene

Colours

Colours for furniture and barriers and associated equipment should sit comfortably in the streetscape, and preferably be in matt finish. Metal and suitable timber will generally be acceptable but other materials can be considered, subject to location.

Signs and Logos

Street advertising is something which the Council controls by various legislation and for two particular reasons. One is highway safety - if drivers are distracted by a sign this can be dangerous - the other is the visual effect in the street or area.

Bearing in mind both of the above, any signs and logos on equipment such as umbrellas must be small and discreet and relate only to the business concerned.  The highly coloured advertising for various beverages seen in pub beer gardens is not acceptable within the streets of North East Lincolnshire.

Menu boards and signs needed for operational reasons should be discrete and appropriate to the scale of the setting and area in which they will be used, and should comply with the general design guidance above.

Tables and Chairs

Tables and chairs need to be of a high standard both in terms of design and quality, and must be well maintained.  Mass produced domestic models in plastic are not considered suitable and are unlikely to be durable enough or meet health and safety regulations.

All of the furniture in a particular location must be the same design and colour.  Variation in pattern, for example in seating stools, benches and chairs with or without arms - will be acceptable but only if they are from the same design range.

Furniture must be located and retained within the designated area and must be arranged so that users remain within that area.

Umbrellas

The earlier notes relate above relating to colour and logos are particularly applicable to umbrellas, as they tend to be large and visible.  In addition they must in keeping with the colour and finish of the rest of the furniture.

Umbrellas should be stable and must not overhang beyond the designated area.  In the interests of safety they should not be used in blustery or windy weather conditions.

Heaters

Where portable heaters are used they must adhere to the general design requirements above.  In addition they must be located within the designated area and not on its boundaries.  They must not be used as part of the means of enclosure.

Enclosure

When in use the permitted area must be enclosed and clearly distinguishable.  The means of enclosure may consist of rigid or rope barriers at heights specified in the relevant conditions,

As an alternative planters may be used and can often be attractive, but they must be convincing and well maintained.  They must also be portable (see below) but must be robust enough so that they are not easily moveable by accident or mischief.  Planters should be of a type, material and colour which complements the chosen furniture design.

When selecting a means of enclosure, consideration must be given to the needs of people with impaired vision.

Portability

When the operator is not using the pavement area, all of the items associated with that use must be removed from the highway.  Thus it is essential that they be suitably portable and capable of storage elsewhere.  It may also be necessary to remove items from the pavement in the case of an emergency and this should be borne in mind when considering handling procedures.

Safety

The permission holder is responsible for the safety and suitability for use of all items placed on the highway.  They should ensure that they are sufficiently robust and well maintained for their purpose.  They are also responsible for the health and safety aspects relating to portability and handling procedures adopted in each case.

Questions

Any questions relating to this design advice should be addressed in the first instance to:

Network Manager
Environmental Services
North East Lincolnshire Council
Origin One
1 Origin Way
Europarc
Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire
DN37 9TZ 

or e-mail:

Customer Services Section  

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