Drayton Manor Park’s pie and teashop all ready for Summer and beyond

A structural timber canopy with Opal 60 roof transforms Drayton Manor Park''s pie and teashop into a bright and airy all-weather dining area

Drayton Manor Park''s pie and teashop has undergone a complete transformation with the installation of a glulaminated timber canopy measuring 26m x 11.5m. Located in the heart of the park near to the entrance to the zoo, the original pie and tea shop featured steel posts and a lean-to shelter which blocked natural daylight and cluttered the available space.

Fordingbridge removed these to install a structure that opens up the area to allow a spacious ambience and plenty of room for diners to eat undercover whatever the weather. Topped with a fire-retardant Opal 60 fabric roof, the canopy allows 60 per cent increased light penetration and eliminates harmful UV rays.

Prevailing weather from across the lake, located near to the shop, has also been eliminated with a removable end panel. This features one long continuous “window” panel that increases internal lighting further and offer views of the surroundings to diners inside the shop. The gable sections have been clad with fabric and screen-printed with the shops logos: Humble Pies and Lakeside Teashop.

In order to minimise disruption to the shop trade and to the park at large, Fordingbridge moved the structure into place overnight by crane in just four hours; the rest of the structure was built during the following three days with the park unaffected and able to operate business as usual. Works were coordinated to allow the park’s own groundworks contractor to complete all the required external landscaping in conjunction with the structure.

Construction work commenced 3 June at 6pm and was complete by early evening 6 June.