Feb12
Best Selling Commercial Furniture of 2020
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2020 was a worrying year for everyone. The pandemic presented the hospitality industry with a host of unexpected and unusual challenges. National lockdowns halted business and when restaurants, bars, and cafes could open again, trading was hampered by social distancing and extra hygiene measures.
It’s impossible to predict how things will pan out during 2021 but with vaccines being rolled out nationwide, we can hope that things might return to a semblance of normality by the end of summer.
The downtime presented many businesses with an ideal opportunity to take stock and look at refurbishing their premises and to get ready for the return to ‘normal’. We were happy to help many businesses update their venues and invest in a new set of commercial tables and chairs from our standard and bespoke ranges.
Here are our top 10 best sellers in 2020:
Matilda Outdoor Chair
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Matilda Outdoor Chairs£69.00 Inc. VAT
With the need for social distancing and better ventilation, many pubs and cafes moved to operating mainly outdoors. It’s not surprising then, that Warner Contract Furniture’s best selling outdoor product for 2020 was the incredibly hard wearing and versatile Matilda Outdoor Chair. We have supplied these chairs to many cafes, garden centres, and sports bars.
Made from moulded fibreglass-reinforced polypropylene, the Matilda chair is sturdy yet lightweight due to the diamond-shaped cut-outs which pattern the seat and back. These chairs are also super easy to keep clean and hygienic and will stack up to four high.
We supply the Matilda in a choice of seven great colours – red, black, green, white, yellow, sand and grey. And we also stock matching Matilda Outdoor Armchairs and Matilda Bar Stools.
Activ Cafe Chair
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Activ Cafe Chairs
Product on sale£49.00£40.00 Inc. VAT
It’s easy to see why the Activ Cafe Chair was our best selling product for cafes and activity centres in 2020. With its eye-catching Scandi-retro design this chair adds an element of fun and style into any venue.
Customers loved the 16 great colour options we offer for the Activ chair. Everything from monochrome black and white through to sizzling colours such as turquoise, pink and orange. These chairs will light up any cafe, activity centres, or canteen.
But it’s not all about looks. The Activ chair also scored highly with our customers on practicality. A strong chrome-plated steel frame supports an extremely durable polypropylene shell with a comfortable waterfall front. And for ease of storage and cleaning it can be stacked up to 10 high.
Ariana Dining Armchairs
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Ariana Fine Dining Armchairs
Product on sale£256.96£218.27 Inc. VAT
Warner Contracts Ltd supply a huge range of dining furniture for restaurants and in 2020 we expanded our range of fine dining chairs for use in upmarket hotels, restaurants and private clubs.
Our best seller in this category was our bespoke Ariana Fine Dining Armchairs. These chairs are supremely versatile with a classy mid-century design and fully upholstered seat and back.
We supply contract quality Seren faux leather upholstery in a choice of 19 fabulous colours so restaurant owners and designers can choose the ideal match for their interior design. From muted neutral shades such as soft cream to bold poppy red or lime. We also offer a choice of eight wood stains for the chair legs. And we can fully customise these Ariana armchairs to order by using material supplied by our customers.
Almeria Upholstered Armchairs
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Almeria Upholstered Armchairs£140.00 Inc. VAT
Another versatile and hard-wearing product that had wide appeal in 2020 for restaurants, bars, golf clubs and hotels is our bespoke Almeria range which includes Almeria Upholstered Armchairs, Almeria Restaurant Chairs, and Almeria Bar Stools.
These chairs combine contemporary good looks with hard-wearing practicality. And best of all – they can be made bespoke to suit any interior scheme. We offer 12 different wood stains for the frame and high quality faux leather upholstery in 21 great colours. So there are hundreds of different frame/upholstery variations to create.
Repton Armchairs
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Repton Arm Chairs£135.00 Inc. VAT
Our Repton range of armchairs, side chairs and bar stools proved to be the number one seller for golf clubs and hotels in 2020. Manufactured with a hardwood frame and a fully upholstered seat and seat back, the Repton range is designed to stay looking good even as it withstands continuous heavy use.
With a classic yet contemporary design, our Repton chairs and stools are supplied in a choice of grey or burgundy with oak-stained legs as standard. We can also supply a bespoke version of our Repton furniture at an extra cost. They are a versatile choice for dining rooms, lounge areas, and bars.
Quattro Table Bases
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Quattro Twin Ped Poseur Table Base£144.00 Inc. VAT
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Quattro Medium Coffee Tables£62.00 Inc. VAT
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Quattro Single Ped Dining Table£79.00 Inc. VAT
Designed to withstand heavy duty use in busy restaurants, cafes and bars, our Quattro range of table bases were the unsung workhorses of the hospitality trade in 2020.
Manufactured from sturdy cast iron with a black powder-coated finish, the Quattro range features a pyramid-shaped base plate supporting a steel column. The range comes in single and twin-pedestal options for dining tables and can accommodate round or rectangular table tops including laminates and hardwoods as well as granite or marble.
We also stock matching Quattro table bases in poseur and coffee table heights and in single and twin pedestal options.
Manor Table Bases
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Manor Twin Ped Dining Tables£156.80 Inc. VAT
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Manor Medium Dining Tables£79.00 Inc. VAT
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Manor Large Poseur Tables£130.00 Inc. VAT
Our Manor range of table bases were the most popular choice in 2020 for pubs and bars. These cast iron table bases are robust yet feature an elegant curved profile with a black powder coating to blend in with any interior design. We offer these table bases in a number of different size options to suit a variety of dining and drinking uses.
For instance, we have medium dining, large and twin pedestal dining bases. And for non-dining areas we also offer Manor poseur height bases in a medium, large, and a twin pedestal option – so you can cater for different-sized social groups.
Zeta Table Bases
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Zeta Large Round Poseur Tables£140.00 Inc. VAT
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Zeta Large Round Dining Tables£135.00 Inc. VAT
Our rose gold Zeta Large Round Dining Table Bases were in great demand in 2020 from restaurants and bars who wanted something a little different from the standard black or copper finish.
The Zeta bases are made with a solid steel core for rigidity and feature a brushed anodised coating on an appealing rose gold colour. They make a stylish table base option for many up market commercial interiors. We also stock matching Zeta Large Round Poseur Table bases.
Bespoke Laminate Table Tops
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White Carrara Marble F204£29.15 – £163.48 Inc. VAT
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Whitewood H1122£29.15 – £163.48 Inc. VAT
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Ferro Bronze F302£29.15 – £163.48 Inc. VAT
It comes as no surprise to us that our bespoke laminate table tops were the number one choice for all types of commercial hospitality venues in 2020. You simply can’t beat laminate table tops for durability and looks.
Warner Contracts Ltd is a big fan of laminates and we have been steadily expanding our ranges of both standard as well bespoke table tops. Laminates can withstand just about anything that’s spilled or dropped on them and remain looking good. So it’s little wonder that cafes, restaurants, pubs, lesiure centres and student union buildings decide to invest in them.
Our bespoke laminate table top range includes more than 100 different decors and we are happy to work with our customers to provide these in made to order sizes and finishes. We can customise your choice of laminate table top at our Manchester facility to suit your desired size, shape and finish. You can choose from a vast range of solid colour or from decorative finishes such as polished cement, marble and woodgrain.
Another great feature of our laminate range is that we supply ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) anti-chip edges as standard and in contrasting options of ply, rubber and brass.
Enduro Sofa Range
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Enduro 3 Seater Sofa£685.00 Inc. VAT
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Enduro 2 Seater Sofa£685.00 Inc. VAT
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Enduro Sofa Armchairs£550.00 Inc. VAT
Our bespoke Enduro range of armchairs and sofas were Warner’s best-selling soft furnishing item in 2020 and was particularly popular for student accommodation, care homes, and prisons. These comfortable and good looking sofas are also a great option for private clubs, hotels and bars.
The Enduro range comprises three products: Enduro Sofa Armchairs, the Enduro 2-Seater Sofa, and the Enduro 3-Seater Sofa. All are manufactured to a high quality with a solid wood frame with contract quality faux leather upholstery, with an art deco style.
Best of all – you can choose from a massive 28 upholstery colours to ensure these sofas fit in with your overall design scheme. Choose from subtle ‘antique’ shades, or more bold and vibrant colours such as pink and silver.
Easy ordering and quick delivery
You are welcome to browse our extensive range of commercial furniture and order online direct from our website. However, we have a highly experienced and friendly sales team just waiting to help guide you through the best options for your venue’s requirements.
If you’re looking for a more customised solution then we can also help you. We have a growing range of bespoke contract furniture are we’re also very happy to work with your own supplied upholstery material.
Our standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we source the majority of our stock within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours for an extra fee. Bespoke goods can take between 2 and 8 weeks to deliver. Contact our friendly sales team on 0161 408 2390 or email us for a quote at sales@warnercontracts.com.
Oct06
Less is More – Socially Distanced Dining Options for the Hospitality Trade
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Photo credit: bbc.co.uk_PA Media
Since the lockdown measures were eased in the summer cafes, bars and restaurants have had to radically change the way they do business to ensure customers and staff are kept safe.
One-way systems, hand sanitiser stations, collecting customer contact details, staff wearing masks, and ordering and paying via apps has become the ‘new normal’ when dining out.
With restrictions on the number of household groups and social bubbles being able to meet, many venues have moved away from offering communal dining experiences. And with social distancing rules still in place, venues have also had to look at operating with fewer tables.
Warner Contract Furniture offers a great range of commercial furniture for the hospitality trade, including many bespoke options to help venues maintain a design theme.
This blog post takes a look at how our contract furniture range can help commercial venues keep their businesses operating safely, while still keeping their overall design look. Don’t forget to call our friendly and expert team to discuss your specific needs.
Indoor Commercial Furniture
There’s little doubt that indoor dining presents greater risks to staff and customers – mainly due to poor ventilation and difficulties in maintaining adequate social distancing.
In response to this, many venues have removed tables to create more space and need to balance hygiene and safety with the need to run a profitable business.
Others have opted for smaller tables that can offer more flexibility – you can simply move two together to accommodate a household, or store them away to create greater space.
Hospitality furniture must be versatile. Venues need hard-wearing and easy to clean furniture that offers customers a comfortable and safe dining experience.
So – here are some ideas from our range of furniture;
Laminate Table Tops
We’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating – laminate table tops are the hardest working items of commercial furniture.
Because they are scratch and heat resistant, our HPL table tops retain their looks even with heavy use. And because they are water and chemical resistant, they are incredibly easy to keep clean and hygienic.
Our range of laminate table tops includes standard sizes in round, square and rectangular shapes and are supplied with ABS anti-chip edges. We stock a huge range of decorative and colour finishes so you can find the best fit for your interior design and style. Online ordering is easy and you can expect delivery within 1-5 days.
We also offer a range of fully bespoke laminate tops to help customers create customised items to match their interiors. We offer hundreds of different laminate decors and can make the table tops to your custom size, shape and thickness. Once ordered, we can deliver bespoke items in 3 – 4 weeks and a fitting service is available when required.
Versatile Table Bases
To complete the look, we offer a great range of table bases. Choose from round or square bases and profiles as well as a variety of different finishes including black powder coated and brushed stainless steel.
Our Braga Flip Top Table Base can accommodate 700mm round or square table tops and offers has a contemporary design. It offers great flexibility to venues which might need to change room layout frequently as the top can be easily flipped to vertical making them make them easier to move around and store.
Great Value Indoor Seating
Simultaneously comfy yet easy to wipe down between sittings, our Sena Restaurant Chairs are a great choice for pub dining areas as well as cafes and restaurants.
We stock Sena chairs in cream, grey and brown which will suit most contemporary interiors. And the fully upholstered seat and seat back offers comfort and great styling with contract quality faux leather upholstery.
Other versatile dining chairs to consider include our Angel, Wave, and Burford side chairs which feature solid hardwood frames and faux leather upholstery.
Making the Most of Outdoor Dining Space
Being able to provide outdoor dining has become a lifeline for many hospitality venues. Many have even worked closely with local councils to create dining patios on pavements or in car parks.
As we slide into the cooler autumn and winter months, this is likely to continue and venues may well have to invest in outdoor heaters.
We have a great range of commercial outdoor furniture to choose from manufactured from contract quality treated hardwoods, cast iron, steel, and durable plastics.
Great Looking Outdoor Tables
Designed to withstand anything the British weather than throw at them, our range of quality outside dining tables includes three that are sold in kit form that are easy to assemble on site. All are ideally suited for outdoor areas of restaurants, cafes and bars.
Each table is manufactured with a black powder-coated steel frame containing an extremely durable, solid core laminate top that is scratch and water resistant. The Carrara features a high quality marble decorative finish, the Dunbar features a contemporary polished cement finish, and the Marden has a polished hardwood finish.
All three are available in square and rectangular dining and poseur options.
Outdoor Bench Seating
Bench seating is a great option for outdoor dining and drinking. Benches can accommodate members of a family or bubble – or can be divided with tape to provide social distancing for two separate households.
Our Brew Ezicare Bench is robust yet highly stylish and will blend in with a wide variety of furniture designs and exterior settings.
Another option is our Brew Outdoor Bench which features a black powder-coated frame and a woodgrain seat.
Lode Outdoor Chair
Our Lode Outdoor Cafe chair has a cool contemporary design and is also very easy to wipe down and disinfect. It is made using tough air-moulded polypropylene and will easily cope with heavy commercial use. And better still, it’s available in six colours including lime green and vibrant orange as well as black, white, grey and brown. At the end of the day they can be stacked for easy storage.
Let Us Help You
You are welcome to browse our extensive range of commercial furniture and order online direct from our website. However, we have a highly experienced and friendly sales team just waiting to help guide you through the best options for your venue’s requirements.
If you’re looking for a more customised solution then we can also help you. We have a growing range of bespoke contract furniture are we’re also very happy to work with your own supplied upholstery material.
Our standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we source the majority of our stock within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours. Bespoke goods can take between 2 and 8 weeks to deliver
Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.
Jun27
Get Post Lockdown Ready With Our Top Commercial Outdoor Furniture Picks
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Quite rightly, the UK has been in lockdown since 23 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s clearly vital that we limit the spread of the virus and reduce the strain on the NHS. However, social distancing rules have meant the almost complete closure of the hospitality trade.
But there now seems to be light at the end of the tunnel as the government considers easing the lockdown in phases to get the economy back up and running.
Post-Lockdown Furniture Requirements
We know that restaurants, cafes, pubs, nightclubs and leisure centres are likely to be among the last venues to re-open. However, those with outdoor spaces will probably be able to open earlier.
It will be essential to continue to protect staff and customers by maintaining a physical distance of 2 metres wherever possible. And additional hygiene practices will almost certainly be required. There will probably also be a need to erect protective transparent sneeze screens at the point of sale.
So, for outdoor areas you’ll need commercial furniture that can not only withstand the British weather, but can also help customers stay six feet apart. You’ll want furniture that is easy to move around and stack when not in use, and, importantly, quick and easy to clean/disinfect.
If you’re a pub with a beer garden, or a cafe with a courtyard, this might be a great time to assess whether your outdoor furniture will be fit for purpose this summer and autumn.
Warner Contract Furniture stocks a huge range of great-priced, high quality Commercial Outdoor Furniture for the UK leisure, hospitality and contract markets.
The Warner top six post-lockdown chairs and tables
This blog post highlights our top six outdoor chairs and tables that can help you get ready for whatever the ’new normal’ will be for the hospitality trade.
- Budget Flip Top Dining Table Base
Our Budget Flip Top Dining Table Base is exactly as described in its name. It offers fantastic value and is a versatile addition for outdoor commercial venues.
The flip top mechanism allows you to flip any table top to the vertical for easy storage. It’s great for small spaces as it’s simple to stack and easy to store. It’s also tougher than it looks as it is made from robust contract quality aluminium/steel (?). And it wipes clean quickly and easily.
These great value table bases will support small 700mm round or square table tops so can make provide perfect social distancing for single customers in small spaces.
You could pair the Budget Flip Top Table Base with …
SM France Arizona Table Top
Outdoor tables have to withstand a lot. They have to put up wth hot sunshine, pouring rain and even frost. And then there is all the eating and drinking. Plates and cutlery, glasses, and spills can all take a toll.
The SM France Arizona Table Top offers a great-looking and cost-effective solution for outdoor dining and drinking areas. It’s on our list because it will withstand heavy use and constant cleaning yet still look good.
That’s because it’s made from a moulded resin laminate material and is fully sealed. It’s also UV-stabilised so won’t fade in direct sunlight.
- Lode Outdoor Chairs
Outdoor chairs need to look good yet also be easy to maintain and store. And our Lode Outdoor Chairs fit the bill perfectly. Made in one stylish piece using air-moulding technology from hard-wearing polypropylene, they are strong and fully stackable. They make ideal chairs for use in the outside areas of cafes, bistros, and bars and come in white, black, grey, brown, lime green and orange.
- Matilda Outdoor Chairs
The Matilda Outdoor Chair combines great looks and practicality. The contemporary design includes a curved shell seat made from hardwearing polypropylene reinforced with glass fibre. The Matilda chair is not only easy to keep clean, but it is fully stackable too.
There is a choice of black, green, red, white, yellow, grey and sand, so you should find an option to suit your space. We also offer matching Matilda Outdoor Armchairs.
- Brew Outdoor Table
Our Brew Outdoor Table is a stylish alternative to the more traditional wooden Beer Garden Bench. It is manufactured with a sturdy pwder-coated steel frame supporting hard wearing teak slats. The frame comes in two colour options: silver and grey.
The Brew Table can be matched with the Brew Outdoor Bench. To encourage customers to maintain the required 2 m distance apart you can easily place markings at each end of the bench.
The Brew range also includes the Brew Outdoor Poseur Table and the Brew Outdoor High Stool.
How we can help
Warner Contract Furniture sources a broad and diverse range of commercial furniture to suit the needs of the hospitality industry. Our sales team have the know-how to help you find the best furnishing solution for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel or activity centre.
We are continually adding new products to our website but would love to hear from you if you can’t see exactly what you’re looking for. We have long-standing relationships with furniture manufacturers and an expert in-house team that will rise to the challenge.
Our standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as most of our stock is sourced within the UK. We can deliver even faster for customers who are working against the clock.
Call our sales team today on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com. We are happy to discuss your requirements and give you a quotation.
As we emerge from the tight restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown, many workplaces are keen to re-open for business. However, we can’t simply go back to how things were before the pandemic. Public health guidelines include maintaining appropriate social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and even wearing masks in some cases.
To help offices, retail outlets, libraries, canteens and hospitality venues prepare for this ‘new normal’, Warner Contracts Ltd is now offering a range of protective sneeze screens. All products in the range are safe to use and easy to keep clean and disinfect.
They will not only help provide extra protection for both your staff and your customers, but they’ll help get your business up and running again.
The range includes:
Counter Top Sneeze Guards
Staff working at the point of sale in shops as well as cafes and canteens can be protected with our clear glazed Counter Top Sneeze Guards. They come 800mm wide as standard and either 670mm or 950mm high.
Our sneeze guard provides an effective barrier against sneezes and coughs, limiting contact between your staff and customers. And the hatch opening allows for payment to be handled safely.
Sneeze Screens for Offices
Maintaining the recommended safe 2m distance between colleagues will be made easier with our range of desktop barriers.
In offices with shared spaces, our Office Desktop Sneeze Screens offer a simple yet very effective way of keeping your staff safe. These tough, shatter-proof plexiglass screens are available in a range of heights and widths to suit standard size desks. And we are also happy to supply them in bespoke made-to-measure sizes.
Additional protection can be added with our Desktop Header Sneeze Screens. These easily connect with our Desktop Sneeze Screens to provide extra privacy and safety for employees.
We also offer clear Desk Mounted Borderless Sneeze Guards in a range of bespoke and standard sizes.
If your staff prefers more privacy, we stock a range of Vinyl Sneeze Screens. These screens are made from opaque anti-microbial vinyl. They can be easily cleaned with bleach and come in a range of sizes. Vinyl Header Sneeze Screens are also available.
Movable Screens
Of course, members of staff don’t spend all their time sitting at their desks. Many companies like to offer informal spaces for staff to collaborate and read in, as well as have a cup of coffee.
Having access to moveable protective screens can be a great way of providing extra safety to your staff in these areas. Our plexiglass Mobile Sneeze Guards are designed for exactly this purpose. The screens are supplied with castors so they are easy to move around and you can choose from a range of height and width options. In addition, we offer three different finishes: clear glaze, with a cut-out, and with safety spots to prevent people walking into them.
Our Floor Standing Sneeze Screens are also useful and versatile. For instance, they can be used in canteens or other areas where staff or customers might be standign in a queue. You can move then to wherever they are required quickly and easily.
Hand Sanitizer Stations
Maintaining a high degree of hand hygiene is extremely important. And we offer handy Floor Standing Sanitiser Units and Desktop Sanitiser Units. Available with either non-alcohol or alcohol-based sanitiser gel, these units are ideal for use in offices, shops, cafes, restaurants, libraries, and counter tops.
How we can help
All our protective sneeze screen and sanitiser units can be ordered products online and you can expect delivery in around 10-15 days. If you need a tighter turn around time then please contact our sales team who will be happy to help.
May27
Government Guidance on Working Safely During COVID-19
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On 11 May 2020 the government released guidelines on how employers, staff and the self-employed can work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guidance focuses on practical steps that can be taken to protect staff in offices, contact centres and various indoor environments. You can find a pdf of the full document here.
We thought it might be useful to highlight how Warner Contracts Ltd’s range of sneeze screens and other hygiene items can help businesses comply with this guidance – specifically how to maintain social distancing at the workplace.
Social Distancing At Work
Section 3 of the guidance covers social distancing at work with the stated objective:
To maintain 2m social distancing wherever possible, including while arriving at and
departing from work, while in work and when travelling between sites. You must maintain social distancing in the workplace wherever possible.
Suggested actions companies can take to facilitate safe distancing are:
- Using screens or barriers to keep people separate.
- Change layouts so staff can work ‘back-to-back or ‘side-to-side’.
- Organising smaller teams to ensure each individual interacts with only a few others.
- Looking at how to maintain social distancing to all parts of a business – including entrances and exits, break and meeting rooms, canteens etc.
Sneeze Screens and Other Protective Physical Barriers
Warner Contracts Ltd has a range of sneeze screens to protect employees while at their desks as well as in other areas of the workplace. They can be used as part of your organisation’s COVID-19.
Workstation Protection
In offices, staff spend most of their time at their desks or workstations so it’s vital to provide a safe environment to reduce their exposure to their colleagues.
If your office furniture cannot be easily moved to provide the necessary social distancing, then our Office Desktop Sneeze Screens and Desk Mounted Borderless Sneeze Guards can help.
Made from clear, shatterproof plexiglass these screens are easy to keep clean and disinfect. We supply a range of standard heights and widths as well as made-to-measure bespoke sizes.
We also provide protective desktop screens made of vinyl. These screens offer great privacy and protection for staff. The contract quality vinyl has anti-microbial properties and can be cleaned with bleach.
All our desk screens are supplied with C-Clamps as standard. This means that you can fit them quickly without the need for drilling holes for screws in your office furniture.
Safer Break Out & Meeting Areas
Many workplaces have separate meeting areas and other spaces where staff can take a break. This is where our range of moveable protective screens can prove to be of greatest use.
Our Mobile Sneeze Guards come in a range of widths and heights to suit are supplied with castors so they are easy to move around. One set of castors is lockable for extra security. The plexiglass screens are available in different sizes and three: clear glaze, clear glaze with a cut-out, and with safety spots to prevent people walking into them accidentally.
In other public spaces such as reception areas, canteens and so on, our Floor Standing Sneeze Screens can help you maintain safe social distancing. They come in different sizes and you can also choose to have T-feet or disc feet.
Other Workplace Areas
Our range of protective barriers also includes clear-glazed Counter Top Sneeze Guards. These barriers are made from 30mm thick clear plexiglass and come 800mm wide as standard and either 670mm or 950mm high.
These guards are ideal for staff canteens and admin offices as the cut out opening allows for serving and payments to be safely handled.
Hand Sanitiser Stations
The focus on good hand hygiene is still very important in the fight against COVID-19 and employers need to encourage employees to wash their hands often during the work day.
Our Floor Standing Sanitiser Units and Desktop Sanitiser Units will help you make it easy for staff to keep their hands clean in a variety of workplace settings – especially in public areas such as lift lobbies and meeting rooms. We supply these units with either non-alcohol or alcohol-based sanitiser gel.
Mar11
The Rise of The Independent Coffee Culture in the UK
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We love Coffee at Warner Contracts; we’re not alone in this. In the UK, we drink around 95 million cups of coffee per day. The rise of the independent coffee shops and cafes means they’re popping up on the high street like there is no tomorrow, this has also lead to a move towards a more French and Italian inspired setting, bringing with it what were once considered unusual and exotic words, such as ‘cappuccino and espresso’ into our daily vocabulary.
With this ever-expansion of coffee offerings, café furniture has also and, continues to evolve with it. Old fashioned and dated décors have gone out of the window and replaced with bold colours and quirk: bringing with it splashes of the owner’s personality and tastes.
Some interesting facts about coffee consumption in the UK:
The coffee industry creates over 210,000 jobs in the UK.
Café culture has continued to boom with 16% of us visiting a coffee shop on a daily basis.
The average person drinks 2 cups a day.
The industry has sustained a 20 year growth with 2019 reflecting a 7.9% annual sales increase.
Café furniture, both inside and outside is leaning towards being bold, adventurous, and reflecting the atmosphere of the venue. We’ve put together 6 of our top picks for both indoor and outdoor furniture to help you make a splash along the way:
The Drum Coffee Table
Measuring in at 60cm high, the metallic frame work is strong and is available in different colours, seamlessly blending into any environment and style, while making a statement. As they say, big things come in small packages!
The Hoxton
A modern take on an iconic chair, this chair sits upon 4 individual turned legs, supported by a strong polypropylene shell, creating a sturdy and hardwearing piece of kit, designed with comfort in mind.
The Luna
Complete with a natural beech coloured table legs, the Luna is one of the most stylish additions that you can add to your coffee shop. Its design is sleek and contemporary creating a fresh feeling which is perfect for all year round.
The Wilmslow
Featuring distinctive art-deco style, this table is certainly attention grabbing. Not only a treat for the eyes; it is built to laugh in the face of bad weather and can handle constant usage with ease.
The York
This vintage delight is available in multiple colours allowing you to create a blend of tones to really make a statement of colour with these sturdy and robust pieces. The aluminium frame is extremely versatile for use inside and outside making it a true team player.
The Scaffolding Bench
This industrial design will stand out for sure, with its scaffolding effect poles, and chunky wooden surface, this is a piece of furniture like no other. Comfortable, yet able to withstand heavy usage, this is certainly one of our favourite pieces in our entire collection, and it’s available as a whole range so your outdoor space will really catch eyes.
The expansion of coffee shops and café’s shows no signs of slowing down as we continue in the first quarter of 2020; we think the need to differentiate and distinguish your brand from competitors is more important than it has ever; to be bold and make a statement.
With a wide variety of woods, colours, and patterns to choose from, it’s easy to see why HPL Laminate is a staple in our food and hospitality industries, laminate table tops are sturdy, and known for their antibacterial properties, so it’s important to keep those tables stain-free, and looking their best!
The surface is easy to clean, and should be cleaned regularly, they require minimal maintenance under normal use and conditions.
When cleaning is needed, more often than not, you can wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth using an all-purpose cleaner such as Dettol or Flash; the use of bleach and harsh cleaning chemicals, particularly those with abrasive properties may result in permanently dulling and scratching your laminate product.
Furniture polish and other wax based cleaning products should be avoided as these clog up the surface structure causing a sticky layer to form, attracting dirt.
For small spillages such as tea/coffee, then your best course of action is to use paper towels, as soon as possible, to absorb the liquid then wipe the area with a damp cloth, for more persistent stains, we recommend household cleaning agents such as Cif, Flash, or Mr Muscle.
More persistent stains such as ink and dyes can be removed by using a stronger detergent or glass cleaner, but the stain should be tackled as soon as possible or it could become permanent. Allow the cleaner to work for several minutes before blotting with a damp cloth and then rinsing. If the stain persists then nail polish remover or paint thinner may be used, this may take a few applications, and should be followed by the cleaning routing mentioned above.
Robin Park Leisure Centre and Arena in Wigan, Lancashire, offers a wide range of sport and fitness classes. This popular centre is located next to the Wigan Warriors rugby league team training ground and is open seven days a week.
The Brief:
To create a multifunctional space to accommodate a café, bar and business hub. Everyone from Wigan Warriors players to students and leisure centre members uses the space so it needed to be both functional and comfortable.
The large room features a red Kingfisher mural at one end so it was important to supply furniture that would complement this. There is also a large Wigan Warriors logo in grey and white near the cafe area.
The Warner Contract Furniture Solution:
Following an initial on-site consultation, Warner Contract Furniture recommended a mix of standard and bespoke commercial furniture. In total the order comprised 180 individual products to suit a dining area, a study / business area, and a soft seating lounge area.
Dining Area
Commercial Furniture suitable for eating and drinking areas must be able to withstand the knocks of heavy use yet stay looking good. So, chairs and tables made from durable materials that are easy to keep clean are essential.
We therefore recommended mixing and matching table bases to provide different social dining options for customers in the main part of the room. These were complemented by four poseur table bases located on the window side of the room where customers can sit in pairs for coffee or drinks.
All laminate table tops in various different sizes and shapes were manufactured by Warner Contract Furniture as bespoke items for the Robin Park site.
Final product specification for the Robin Park cafe area:
Imola Table Bases supporting two large rectangular table tops covered in bespoke graphitewood HPL laminate.
Featuring an industrial twin pedestal design, Imola Table Bases are both practical and stylish. They are made from contract quality steel with a clear lacquer finish and can support rectangular table tops to seat around eight people.
The graphitewood laminate is a hard-wearing surface comprising a black finish with a decorative white wood grain design.
Valencia XL Table Bases supporting two large round table tops also featuring a bespoke graphitewood HPL laminate finish. Due to their size these had to be manufactured in two semi circular pieces and then joined together on site usning connectors.
The Valencia XL Table Base is an ideal choice for leisure centre cafeterias. They are made from cast iron with a scratch-resistant grey powder-coated finish and feature three central columns. And they can easily seat eight people around a 1600mm diameter table top.
Danilo M Square Poseur Table Bases supporting bespoke square graphitewood HPL laminate table tops.
Featuring a contemporary brushed steel finish, the Danilo M Poseur Table Base has a cast iron core to give extra stability. Our Danilo table bases are not only strong they also offer superb style and quality.
Each of the four large rectangular and round dining tables at the Robin Park facility is matched with eight Paris Industrial Cafe Chairs. Our Paris chairs are a popular choice for leisure centres and cafes as they are strong, easy to keep clean and stackable. They’re also extremely stylish and made from steel with a grey powder coated finish. Other finishes available include gun metal grey and vintage copper.
The four Danilo Poseur tables each have two Paris Bar Stools that match the dining chairs with a durable grey powder coated finish.
Business Hub
We suggested that the business hub be located at the opposite end of the room from the lounge area and away from the dining area so that people can talk business and work or study in a calm environment.
The specification comprised:
Our Danilo Complete Round Tables comprise a standard Danilo base of brushed stainless steel with a sturdy cast iron core matched with a 2-seater laminate table top in one of six colours – wenge, walnut, oak, beech, black and white. For Robin Park we specified a bespoke 25mm white laminate top.
The Shoreditch range of commercial chairs are incredibly popular with leisure centres and it’s not hard to see why. They have a contemporary, Scandinavian design with a seat made from tough polypropylene. There is a choice of nine strong colours for the seat shell and different leg styles.
For Robin Park we chose the Shoreditch Chairs Frame K with a red seat shell supported by turned wooden legs in black which are held together by stylish black steel framework.
The red chairs help to provide a splash of strong colour to this end of the Robin Park Arena cafe which is mostly white. The red also echoes the red Kingfisher mural at the other end of the room.
Soft Seating / Lounge Area
To provide an area that members can relax in, Warner suggested a mix of comfortable sofas, armchairs, with matching stools and coffee tables. All in shades of grey, and black and to complement the large red Kingfisher mural.
The sofas, tub chairs and stools are all bespoke, manufactured from solid wood frames with high quality faux leather upholstery in grey.
They are designed to be stylish, comfortable, hardwearing and easy to keep clean.
The final specification comprised:
Danilo Rectangular Coffee Table Base plus a 40mm rectangular graphitewood HPL laminate table top.
The Danilo bases have a solid cast iron core housed in a base and pedestal of high quality brushed stainless steel and match the Danilo poseur tables used in the dining area. The graphitewood HPL laminate tops match the other bespoke roudn and rectangular table tops in the dining area.
Timescale:
The on-site consultation took place on 12 September 2019 and the order was placed on 10 October. Warner Contract Furniture delivered and completed the fit-out on-site on 23 October. From order to delivery took just 2 weeks
How we can help
If you’re thinking about a new look for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel or activity centre then get in touch. Our friendly sales team has the know-how to help you find the best contract furnishing solution for your particular needs.
We offer discounts on bulk orders and standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we source the majority of our stock within the UK. An express 24-hour service is also available for a fee.
Why not browse our huge range of contract furniture? We are always sourcing new products for the commercial hospitality trade so let us know if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking. We have a large network of manufacturers and we are also happy to provide bespoke solutions.
Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.
Nov11
Update Your Restaurant Furniture and Boost Your Xmas Appeal
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Christmas comes but once a year. And for restaurants and cafes it’s the busiest time of year. Throughout December commercial venues will be catering for everything from office knees-ups to family get togethers. So its vital that your furniture is up to scratch.
As we head towards the busy festive period, now is a great time to take a good look at your contract furniture. Is it looking a bit weary and worn? Will it add to the customer’s dining experience? Why not update some of your furniture to make sure you’re prepared not just for the Christmas rush for the new year too.
Order now for pre-Christmas delivery
With more group bookings expected at this time of year, it’s helpful to ensure that your restaurant tables can accommodate different size parties. For this blog post we’ve selected a few of our contract furniture items that we believe are ideal for busy restaurants.
All our stocked items are available to be delivered in time for Christmas 2019 if ordered by December 16. For bespoke items, you’ll need to contact us by mid November to ensure delivery.
Turning the tables …
First things first: tables. Are your current dining tables fit for purpose? Can you accommodate larger bookings by pushing tables of the same height together? Are they easy to clean? Are they able to withstand heavy use yet still maintain their good looks?
Warner Contract Furniture stock a huge range of contract quality dining tables. You can choose from complete tables, tables bases and table tops.
Perhaps the most versatile option for any venue is to buy table bases and table tops separately. This allows you to customise your dining areas to suit your business needs.
You can mix and match different styles and materials to create the look that perfectly suits your venue and ambience. Choose from metal, solid wood, veneer and laminate finishes and a good range of size options, from 2-seater to 8-seater options.
Even within a range of table bases we can offer flexibility. For example, take our Mayan range. These sturdy yet stylish black cast iron table bases come in round, square, single and double pedestal formats plus a range of heights.
The Mayan range looks good with any of our table tops, including solid wood, laminate table tops and metal. As with our table bases we stock a wide range of sizes and in square, round and rectangular format.
Our Chunky Oak Table Tops are a popular choice for restaurants. Solid wood is always in fashion and can blend in with a host of different interior designs – from contemporary to traditional.
For an even more hard-wearing table, then you should choose from our range of laminate table tops. With a huge range of decorative finishes to choose from – including marble, block colours and wood grain – our laminate table tops are incredibly hard wearing, easy to maintain and will age gracefully.
And for extra sparkle and shine, we also stock metal table tops, including beautiful brass, and copper, which will add to the festive atmosphere.
Pull up a chair …
Restaurant chairs need to be comfortable and hard-wearing. They also need to combine practicality with style so they can complement many different interior designs.
Our Homa Veneer Back Dining Chair is a popular choice. Not only does it look classy, it is one of the most robust chairs available in the UK. It has a solid beech frame supporting a veneer seat and back, stained and lacquered in a darker wenge finish.
It also features a wipe-clean faux leather cushioned seat pad in a choice of three colours: white, cement and mustard. What’s more, when not in use, these versatile chairs can be stacked up to four high for easy storage. Which is handy when those large group bookings turn up.
Restaurant Chairs that are immediately available include: the Trent Dining Chair which features a deep upholstered seat in cream and brown faux leather; and Epsom High Back Dining Chairs, also in cream and brown faux leather.
Other in-stock chairs come in classy burgundy and grey faux leather upholstery, including our Repton Side Chairs, Wave Side Chairs, and Angel Side Chairs.
Making it social …
Restaurants that offer a more contemporary dining experience require a more modern furniture style. Rectangular tables and bench seating offers a great solution. Such dining sets look ‘cool’ and can accommodate larger groups of diners, sharing ‘canteen’ style.
The clean, functional lines of our Tokyo Dining Set provides a minimalist, ‘utilitarian’ look for restaurants and even roof terraces. It comprises a dining table and two bench seats. The frames are made from contract quality steel with a lacquered finish in black or white.
There is a choice of four colour options: black frame with white top; black frame with oak top; white frame with white top; and white frame with oak top.
The Tokyo Dining Table can also be purchased separately for use with built-in upholstered bench seating and other commercial chairs.
And … don’t forget the kids
A Christmas family gathering without the kids is unthinkable. And you don’t want to be turning away business at this time of year. So, now is a good time to check if you have enough high chairs to cope with the Christmas demand.
Our Bambino High Chairs are ideal for use in restaurants. Suitable for children up to three years old, Bambino high chairs include a safety strap and fully comply with BS EN 14988-2017. They are manufactured from sold beech hardwood and come in choice of natural or walnut wood stain. Bambino high chairs can be easily wiped clean after use and can be stacked (up to four high) to save space when they’re not needed.
We hope we’ve given you some food for thought about how you might refresh your restaurant furniture in time for the Christmas period. But remember, commercial furniture isn’t just for Christmas – it’s for life! Our contract quality tables and chairs will stand the test of time.
How we can help
Our sales team has the know-how to help you find the best contract furnishing solution for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel or activity centre.
We are continually adding new products to our range but if you can’t find what you’re looking for let us know. Our commercial furniture contacts and in-house team relish a challenge and we are happy to provide bespoke solutions.
Standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we source the majority of our stock within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours.
Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.
Nov08
Top Trends for 2020 That Will Influence Commercial Interior Design
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As the end of the year approaches, we thought we’d indulge in a bit of crystal ball gazing. What will 2020 bring in terms of interior design trends? And how is this likely to influence the look of pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality venues?
When it comes to hospitality design, creating a unique look is key to achieving business success. Increasing competition from home delivery companies such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo, means that cafes and restaurants need to offer more than just great food. Discerning consumers are looking for more of an ‘experience’ when they dine out.
And earlier this year at The Pub Show, a report was released that revealed what pub goers really want. Survey participants were asked to list the most important factors influencing their choice of pub. ‘Atmosphere’ was by far the most common answer, followed by a ‘decent outdoor space’, ‘interior design’ and ‘good background music’.
Hotels aren’t immune from the changing demands of customers either. Hotel lobbies are becoming less like waiting areas and more like modern living rooms and spaces to socialise in. These so-called ‘lifestyle lobbies’ focus on providing a personalised experience for travellers.
In this blog post we look at four key trends that we think will impact the interior design of commercial interiors over the coming year.
The Instagram Factor
There is no escaping the fact that venues need to consider their Instagram ‘worthiness’ as a key part of their design. Our previous blog post about Boosting Your Venue’s Instagram Appeal looked at this phenomenon.
Apparently young people (18-35 year-olds) now spend the equivalent of five days a year browsing food images on Instagram. And many will base their decision on which restaurant to book based on its Instagram presence.
So being Instagram ready is now a key requirement for bars, cafes restaurants and hotels. This means paying careful attention to colours, lighting, furniture, and creating photogenic spaces.
Sustainable Materials
Concerns about sustainability and the environment will continue to have a huge impact on all areas of the hospitality sector. The industry has already taken important steps to reduce the use of plastics in food service. In 2020, we’re likely to see greater demand for recycled and sustainable commercial furniture.
Ten years ago the the British Furniture Manufacturers Association produced a report on a two-year study into Zero Emmissions From Office, Contract and Kitchen Funiture. Recommendations included procuring more sustainable materials, cleaner design, and greater recycling of materials into new furniture.
It’s not surprising then that one of the major factors influencing interior design trends for 2020 is ‘Zero waste’. Expect to see a greater use of raw and unfinished materials as well as upcycled and recycled materials.
Examples of familiar materials that are already ‘eco-friendly’ include concrete, brick, cork and natural wood. We already see these materials used widely for flooring and structural elements.
Other materials that might become more prevalent for soft furnishings and upholstery include: raw/organic cotton, calico, bamboo, jute, hemp, ramie and linen.
Biodegradable Chip(s) Board made from potato peelings. Photo credit: Dezeen.com
We were intrigued to learn about an innovative new material made from potato peelings that can be used as a substitute for single use chip board and medium density fibreboard (MDF).
MDF is widely used in furniture manufacture and is the base for many laminate materials used in table tops, But it contains formaldehyde and other toxic resins and chemicals. And some 140,000 tonnes of MDF is disposed of or incinerated every year.
By contrast, the new wood substitute material – called Chip[s] Board – is fully biodegradable and non toxic. Innovations like this will have a huge impact on reducing the environmental impact of the hospitality industry.
Colour Palettes
The use of colour in interior design schemes is always evolving. Anyone remember the hideous orange and brown era of the 1970s? Colours come in and out of fashion and seem to reflect the general mood of society.
So, it’s interesting to know that one of the most on-trend colours of the moment is green. In September, paint manufacturer Dulux announced Tranquil Dawn (a pale green) as their colour of the year for 2020, saying:
“As 2020 is the start of a new decade, it’s a fresh start. A new dawn. In an increasingly hectic and digital world, there is a desire for meaning and kindness. So, inspired by the colours of the morning sky, our colour experts have created an inspiring new shade, Tranquil Dawn.”
The themes of well-being, comfort and sustainability are widespread in the world of interior design and do seem to be leading towards colour palettes and textures that connect people with nature.
For instance, 2020Spaces.com predicts that in the coming year, we’ll see a lot more of these colours: olive green, golden yellow, light pink, mango, champagne, navy blue, dark red and charcoal.
And earlier this year at the influential Milan Design Week a similar range of colours were shown for 2020. These included: champagne, lemon yellow, pumpkin red, fuschia, sky blue, terracotta, olive green, and pale purple.
Expect to see designers using contrasting colours and textures – for instance deep blue and terracotta, as seen in the Milan Design Show setting below.
Contrasting bold colours at Milan Design Week. Photo credit: ItalianBark.com
Use of Outdoor Space
One of the key trends for restaurants, cafes and bars is the use of any outdoor space to create attractive, comfortable spaces. Courtyards, garden terraces, and roof spaces have become increasingly popular in the UK and can be used year round – helped, no doubt, by the introduction of portable heaters.
Make the most of any outdoor space to keep customers happy. Photo credit: Pixabay.com
Careful choice of lighting and style of furniture is clearly important with outdoor spaces. Warner Contract Furniture is a specialist supplier of a wide range of contract quality outdoor commercial furniture.
We can supply complete tables and dining sets as well as a huge range of durable, weather resistant and stylish dining chairs, armchairs, bar stools, benches plus table bases and table tops.
Whatever way the design trends go, we can help you to keep your customers happy and comfortable. Our outdoor furniture range is manufactured from contract quality aluminium, teak, rattan and polypropylene in a wide range of colours and styles. Many items are stackable for easy storage.
So … goodbye 2019 – here’s to 2020!
How We Can Help
If you’re thinking about a new look for your bar, cafe, restaurant, hotel or activity centre then get in touch. Our friendly sales team has the know-how to help you find the best contract furnishing solution for your particular needs.
We are continually adding new products to our range but if you can’t find what you’re looking for let us know. Our commercial furniture contacts and in-house team relish a challenge and we are happy to provide bespoke solutions.
Standard delivery time is just 3-5 working days as we source the majority of our stock within the UK. We also offer an express service which delivers in just 24 hours.
Call us on 0161 408 2390 or email our sales department sales@warnercontracts.com to get a quote.