Improving the customer experience
Don’t let the sun or rain decide your visitor numbers. Our awnings and canopies give visitors shelter from rain and shade from the sun, so they come, stay longer and spend more whatever the forecast says.
- 21°C is roughly where attendance peaks. Above that, outdoor sites start losing visitors to the heat [1]
- Longer visits: sheltered queues and seating keep guests on site, rain or shine.
- More outdoor revenue: covered terraces and kiosks keep trading in bad weather.
Keep your visitors comfortable, whatever the weather
Tell us a little about your premises and we’ll arrange a free, no-obligation site survey. We’ll recommend the right awning or pergola for your space, your brand and your budget.
Weather is costing attractions visitors
For zoos, farm parks, heritage sites, gardens and outdoor attractions, the weather is one of the biggest factors in whether families visit. 2026 has shown just how unpredictable it has become, with record rain in winter and record heat in summer:
Sunshine doesn’t guarantee UK visitor growth, as market evidence shows weather–visitor links are complex [1]
150+ days of rain a year on average across the UK. [2]
37 days the length of the 2026 heatwave, the second longest in UK records.[3]
You can’t change the forecast, but you can change what visitors expect when they arrive. When guests know there’s plenty of covered space, a grey day stops being a reason to stay home.
Where covered areas make the biggest difference
Entrances & queue lines
Keep guests dry and comfortable while they wait for tickets, rides and attractions, so the first impression is a good one.
Cafes, terraces & food courts
Turn outdoor seating into all-weather dining space and protect your secondary spend on wet and scorching days alike.
Picnic & play areas
Give families a sheltered base for lunch and a shaded play space for children, which keeps them on site for longer.
Walkways & links between buildings
Covered routes keep people moving around your site in a shower instead of heading for the car park.
Animal viewing & show areas
Shelter for talks, displays and feeding times means scheduled events go ahead whatever the weather.
Event & function spaces
Create flexible covered space for weddings, corporate hire, markets and seasonal events, and extend your operating season.
Our awning and canopy solutions
Retractable awnings
Open them when you need cover and retract them for full sun on fine days.
Retractable roof systems
Permanent, robust shelter for entrances, walkways and seating areas.
Free standing awnings
Flexible cover for cafes and picnic areas that can be repositioned as needs change.
Commercial louvered pergola
Year-round outdoor comfort for hospitality areas
Why attractions invest in covered space
- Protect visitor numbers – give guests a reason to come even when the forecast shows rain.
- Increase dwell time – visitors who stay comfortable stay longer, and longer visits mean more spend.
- Beat the heat – shade keeps guests on site during hot spells when outdoor attractions typically lose visitors.
- Extend your season – make more of spring, autumn and school holidays whatever the weather.
- Improve reviews – comfortable guests leave better feedback and are more likely to return.
- Earn new revenue – covered spaces can be hired out for private events and functions.
References.
1. Heatwave impact source blooloop
2. How much rain have we had in february and winter Met Office rainfall
3. 2026 UK Heatwaves Wikipedia
