What to consider when choosing a commercial shade umbrella in New South Wales
Providing shade in an outdoor dining space is an effective way to attract customers and make their experiences with your café or restaurant more enjoyable. When it comes to cafes and restaurants using umbrellas there is a New South Wales Outdoor Dining User Guide (2019) that lists the policies relating to ‘street’ or ‘footpath dining’- this is essentially having equipment on a footpath that is being used by pedestrians and customers together. This document has been created using the NSW guidelines as well as those of the biggest cities in the state to give you an idea of what you need to consider when choosing the right shade for your space. Some local councils will also have regulations in place, so it’s a good idea to check their website for an ‘Outdoor Dining Guide’ or ‘Footpath Dining Policies’.
Height, Size, and Materials:
Generally, if you have an umbrella on a footpath or street, it should be over 1.2 metres wide and at least 2.1 metres tall so that there is space for pedestrians underneath. Keep in mind that some councils have width restrictions for umbrellas. They should also be weatherproof and designed specifically for commercial outdoor use. We have designed our ‘workhorse’ Sunranger Café Series Umbrella to have an entry height of 2.1m for this reason, as well as easily interchangeable parts for easy repairs.
Appearance:
Choosing a colour for your umbrella can be tricky – some councils prefer darker colours whilst others like more neutral options. This usually has to do with the colour of the street as they like them to match the visual streetscape. We have found that neutral colours, like Ecru or Beige, are very popular for commercial outdoor shade. Councils will also allow printing on umbrellas, but generally have a 30% rule, where only 30% of the surface area may be printed with a logo, name, or product. It is also suggested to ensure a cohesive streetscape by picking one colour for all umbrellas.
Installation:
Umbrellas should only be used in areas that do not already have an existing shelter such as a verandah, awning, or trees, and they need to be installed in an area that is not in the way of pedestrians. The anchor method is also important; councils will rarely allow an umbrella to be permanently installed into the footpath. They will most likely require an on-ground base that can be moved after trading hours. It’s also very important that umbrellas have an appropriate amount of weight for stability in breezy conditions, so that they do not pose a safety risk to customers or pedestrians. We designed the Sunranger Excalibur bases specifically for commercial installations, for example. These galvanised steel bases have a large footspace for increased stability with a heavy 30kg base weight, with the option to add up to two weight plates and castors for ease of movement.
Maintenance:
All umbrellas and other street furniture must be stored inside the premises outside of trading hours and maintained in a clean and orderly condition. It’s also a good idea (and required by some councils) to close umbrellas if it does get too windy. We have ‘Sunranger Straps’ that go out with our umbrellas that are used to secure them when they’re down, which we think are a great idea because it makes it difficult for any gusts to get under the canopy and open it accidentally, which can lead to damage or even injury for people nearby.
Making sure that your shade umbrella is commercial-quality and able to withstand wind are the two key take-aways to this article, as these two details will check off many of the requirements needed for alfresco dining. It’s important to follow the policies for outdoor umbrellas and furniture as they are there to ensure public safety and accessibility – and remember to check your local council website in case their outdoor dining policy differs from the NSW user guide.
List of policies consulted:
NSW Outdoor Dining User Guide | https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-08/Outdoor-dining-user-guide.pdf
City of Sydney Outdoor Dining Guidelines | https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/council-governance-administration/outdoor-dining-guidelines
City of Newcastle Policy: Outdoor Trading | https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/business/supporting-local-business-people/business-regulations/outdoor-permits/outdoor-trading
Wollongong Development Control Plan, Chapter C12: Outdoor Restaurant and Footpath Trading (Street Vending) Activities | https://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/8945/Wollongong-DCP-2009-Chapter-C12-Outdoor-Restaurant-and-Footpath-Trading-Street-Vending.pdf
North Sydney Development Control Plan 2013, Section 8 Outdoor Dining And Display Of Goods On The Footpath | https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/downloads/file/2202/dcp-2013-part-b-section-8-outdoor-dining-and-display-of-goods-on-the-footpath
Outdoor Dining and Goods Display on Footpaths Guidelines, Schedule 6 Logos (available as attachment to Report to General Manager, Item 8) https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/ecm/download/document-9085306
City of Parramatta Outdoor Dining Policy | https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/sites/council/files/2018-07/Outdoor%20Dining%20Policy.pdf
City of Parramatta Outdoor Dining Guidelines | https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/sites/council/files/2021-10/outdoor-dining-guidelines.pdf
