How to look after your Café Barriers

As I look out the window on a windy but blue-sky day at the start of August, my mind wanders to warmer Spring days spent sitting outside in a cafe or bar, watching the world go by while sipping a coffee or something stronger.

Those bar or coffee owners are probably looking at making the most of their outside space and, in turn, reviewing their outside seating and café barrier systems. Is the current system fit for purpose, and does it entice people?

Short of buying new systems or banners, we are always asked, “How do I maximise the life span of café barriers?”

Below, I will explore and detail how to look after your Café Barriers. You have invested heavily in these items and want them to showcase your branding and site at their best.

First, let’s break this down into hardware, banners, and complete systems.

Cafe Barrier Hardware

We provide four hardware systems:

Chrome finish post and base, cross rail and spring clips.

Chrome finish post and base, as well as cross rails.

Each of these is hard-wearing and should last for years; however, here are some tips to keep them as good as new for as long as possible:

• Try to keep the bases out of standing water. The bases have small feet to keep them off the ground, but excess water will cause rusting issues, so try to keep them as dry as possible.
• When moving posts and bases, lifting is preferable to rolling. They are heavy for a reason, so lifting can sometimes be problematic, but lifting rather than rolling is always better whenever possible. Rolling could damage the base.
• Never lift the post and base as a whole unit with the cross beam and barrier, tempting as it might be. Doing this will only damage the cross beam and end clips. Always disassemble the banner and cross beams first and move the post and bases independently.
• Always check fixings are tight. Loose fixings mean wobbly café barriers and are more likely to fail.
• Posts and bases can be cleaned with hot water, a soft cloth and mild detergent. Do not use strong detergents. Dry off with a towel to remove any excess detergent.
• Cross beams should be checked for wear and tear. Ensure the beam is not bent (Customers like to lean or sit on them). If they are bent, they will need to be replaced as the stell integrity is then damaged and could cause injury down the line should someone lean or sit on it again)
• Cross-beam end clips should also be checked to ensure they work correctly and sit well on the post. Replacement end clips are available should any be damaged.

Cafe Barrier Banners

We provide banners in many fabrics to suit customer needs and the environment they will use.

Let’s explore each and how to look after them:

1. Airmesh—Our lightweight option allows wind to permeate through and is recommended for windy sites. Airmesh can be washed in situ with a soft sponge and mild detergent. Alternatively, the mesh banner can be removed from the hardware and placed in a washing machine on a low-heat wash with non-biological detergent. The colours will then stay intact, and any grime should be removed. Dry on a line or the barrier itself, so creases drop out.

2. Knitted Polyester—Another lightweight option. Knitted Polyester can be washed in situ with a soft sponge and mild detergent. Alternatively, the knitted polyester banner can be removed from the hardware and placed in a washing machine on a low-heat wash with non-biological detergent. The colours will then stay intact, and any grime should be removed. Dry on a line or the barrier itself, so creases drop out.

3. Display Polyester—This is a higher–grade option with a premium look and feel. It can be washed in situ with a soft sponge and mild detergent. Alternatively, the banner can be removed from the hardware and placed in a washing machine on a low-heat wash with non-biological detergent. The colours will then stay intact, and any grime should be removed. Dry on a line or the barrier itself, so creases drop out.

4. Canvas is a premium option for a high-end look and feel. It can be washed in situ with a soft sponge and mild detergent.

5. PVC is a versatile and cost-effective material. It can be washed in situ with a soft sponge and mild detergent.

6. PVC Mesh—This material is Versatile and great in windy conditions as air flows through it. PVC mesh can be washed in situ with a soft sponge and mild detergent.

For all and any of the banners, regular inspection of the hems is advised, and when taking in overnight, roll up along the hemmed edge and around the cross beam.

Total System

Always take it apart when moving, and do not try to lift two posts and bases by its connected cross beam.

Do not drag the cross beams across the floor, as this will damage the end clips.

The strength of the system is partly dependent on the setup design. For example, posts and bases arranged into an L shape will always be much more resilient to wind than those placed in a straight, long line.

Conclusion

As with most things, the more you look after the cafe barrier system, the longer it will last, and the better it will reflect positively on your branding.

Monitoring all the elements of the system every time you take it in and put it out again will give you a good indication of any issues. Hopefully, none of your customers will try to sit on the banner cross beam and bend it (we have seen this on many occasions), but being vigilant about this will also help.

In the UK, we crave outside areas to mix in, drink, and eat. I think it is because of the lack of sunshine and our belligerence that we WILL enjoy the fresh air. Let us all want that experience: a well-looked-after seating area with great branding and a fit-for-purpose café barrier. Roll on the summer.