Able Canopies Ltd

Aberfoyle Primary School – Stirling, ScotlandProduct: Denver Timber Cycle ShelterSize: 6.2m x 1.6mTimber Frame Stain Colour: Light OakContractor: AKP Scotland Ltd.Architect: Wardell ArmstrongInstallation Date: May 2021The BriefAKP Scotland Ltd. are an award-winning principal contractor based in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. They were working on a project at Aberfoyle Primary School in Stirling which required a complete refurbishment of their stunning gothic style, 151-year-old listed building.Part of the project included the requirement for a cycle shelter within the school’s nursery playground. The Architects, Wardell Armstrong specified our Denver Timber Cycle Shelter in the setting out drawings, which were then sent to us to us an invitation to tender by AKP Scotland Ltd.The Solution Because the product had already been specified, this was a simple case of sending over our costs for the size required which was 6.2m x 1.6m.The Denver is constructed from stunning curved Glulam timber beams which are manufactured by gluing together laminates of timber under pressure and heat that are then perfectly planed. The resulting beams are strong, stable, and corrosion proof with significant advantages over structural steel and concrete.This makes the Denver Timber Cycle Shelter a great choice for this project; because the school building was a very old, listed building, the aesthetics of a curved timber structure would fit in perfectly, keeping a traditional, natural appearance.The Installation An order was placed in December 2020 with the installation planned for May 2021 as set out in the contractors’ building programme. The contractor installed a concrete base and the installation of the shelter went ahead as scheduled on 24-26th May 2021, taking just two days to install.The contractor supplied and installed the cycle hoops themselves once we had left site.The end result is a striking curved timber cycle shelter that fits in flawlessly with the recently refurbished Early Year’s playground area, finishing the project off perfectly.

he BriefAddenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridgeshire were looking for a wall mounted canopy to provide shade and shelter over the main entrance of their Accident and Emergency department. At the time of enquiry, they didn’t have any form of shelter over the entrance and patients and visitors were exposed to the elements when queuing or waiting outside.Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Project Manager came to Able Canopies for a quotation in hope that we could offer a product that met their design needs, whilst providing the weather protection required. The canopy specification presented to Able Canopies was a wall mounted canopy with a polycarbonate roof and toughened glass or polycarbonate front panels.

Ark Oval Primary Academy were in the process of having multiple works completed at their academy in Croydon, London which included a new build, re-surfacing the entire playground and various outside equipment including a new canopy.

Morgan Sindall had secured an ESFA project to build a brand new 7.5 million school at Ashmole Primary School in London which would provide 2,072 sq ft of teaching space for 420 pupils aged four to 11.In June 2017, they sent an invitation to tender to Able Canopies for the supply and installation of the Early Years canopy; a free standing timber canopy with side screens. They gave us the opportunity to put our prices forward because they had worked with us on many occasions and more recently at Oak Lodge School in Barnet, London where we installed a large aluminium wall mounted canopy. Whilst working with Morgan Sindall on these previous jobs, we have built good working relationships.In April 2018, we received the sub-contractor order for both the canopy and the timber screens for installation in July 2018. They chose us for the project because they found our service to be exemplary as explained by Neil Parratt from Morgan Sindall: “The customer service they provided was exemplary. Josh Foord came to site and was very helpful and worked closely with the designs and requirements. The customer service was just very good!”

The BBC Television Centre contacted Able Canopies requesting a site survey to be conducted as they were in need of a covered smoking area for their staff. They were interested in Able Canopies’ Commercial Awnings that they viewed on the website. A site survey was arranged and the Able Canopies surveyor explained the different types of awnings that they currently supply, along with the specifications of each product.

The BriefBishop Milner Catholic College is a large school in Dudley, West Midlands that caters for children from the ages of 11-18 years.They contacted us in October 2012 and requested prices for a large free standing canopy. They were in the process of applying for a grant to cover the costs and needed some prices to enable them to apply for the correct amount required.The SolutionA site survey was arranged and it was agreed that a Hamilton Big Span Canopy would be the perfect canopy structure for the college.

The BriefThe Facilities Management Team Leader from Leicestershire Traded Services which is part of Leicestershire County Council, contacted us as they were looking for a product that would provide all-round weather protection to the external café area at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.The SolutionA meeting was scheduled with our Area Sales Manager and the Facilities Management Team Leader and the Heritage Team who will be using the Umbrellas, to finalise the products required and to determine the area they were to be installed.From the meeting, a firm quotation was produced for three 4 metre x 3 metre Richmond Umbrellas.

University of BournemouthProduct: Two Bespoke Kensington Solar CanopiesCanopy Colour: Anthracite Grey RAL7016Canopy Size: 21.9m x 4.9m eachInstallation Date: September 2017The project in briefAs part of a major infrastructure development Bournemouth University created a new transport hub to connect the University to the wider area. Shelter for waiting passengers was part of the plan. Uniquely it had to fit in with the wider design themes of the development and deliver on the University’s sustainability goals by utilising solar technology. To meet those requirements Able Canopies created a bespoke canopy design based on our stylish Kensington system. The addition of solar panels, effective drainage, plus seating and under canopy wind protection, were all elements that the adaptable Kensington can handle. The result was a standout look for a practical transport hub that provides effective weather protection and longer term pay back via renewable energy generation.Growth at Bournemouth UniversityThe new Talbot Campus development at Bournemouth University is an important and prestigious project, not just for the University but for the local area which benefits from the success of the University and its students. The £3 million investment in new campus buildings and other infrastructure is a long-term commitment that will see the University widen its learning provision and all-round facilities. Part of the benefit for students, and the wider Bournemouth area, is the construction of a new transport hub that will provide joined up public transport connecting the University campus to Bournemouth itself.  A key part of the new transport hub is the weather protection provided to passengers as they wait for buses. To ensure that this essential part of the development met the standards required of the project Able Canopies entered early design discussions with the University. This evolved and in April 2017 Mildren Construction awarded Able Canopies the works for the new bus hub.Project Proposal & InstallationThroughout the development and design process we thought that our Kensington Dual pitch would be the ideal product for this installation. The more the design developed and requirements were added, such as the solar roof panels, the more convinced we were that it was perfect for the client’s needs. The Kensington is a robust, steel frame system that will stand up to all that the weather has to throw at it. Its architectural good looks mean that it makes a strong aesthetic statement, which was a key requirement here. We worked closely with the solar panel provider Polysolar who had overall control of the installation. Their panel fitted perfectly into the Kensington roof with some minor alterations to our working method to provide clean, efficient and sustainable energy for the transport hub. In addition, we had to consider how all cables were concealed and accessed at later dates. To achieve this access panels were installed in the 2 higher posts, one dealt with DC cables from the solar panels and the other with AC cables for the lighting. The final 2 lower posts on each canopy were designed to be integral rain water pipes and dispersed all water from the roof into a drainage connection below the paving.The Finished CanopiesAs the images show, the canopies look great and they are doing their job effectively in the transport hub which is now up and running. The solar panels are producing energy efficiently and help to provide a safe and comfortable shelter for the Campus’s transport users.The Tech SpecsMain Structure 21.9m x 4.9m overall canopy size (each)Powder coated and hot dip galvanised steel frame Inclined from 3m low end to 4m high end126 PS-CT Series Solar Panels per canopy (8mm thickness)Bespoke laminated glass end panelsMicro connectors to all solar panels to ensure all cabling was discreteSabre Architectural LED lightingBespoke underground drainage connectionsBespoke electrical access panels18kw system in totalGalvanised steel cable trunking & aluminium cable trays Underside Windbreaks10mm toughened glass windbreaks fixed to heavy duty steel frameGalvanised steel & hardwood benchesStainless steel glass clamps

The Bowker Motor Group is one of the UK’s leading motor groups. Founded in Blackburn in 1919, the Bowker Group has grown rapidly, diversifying in 1984 into the retail motor trade and developing a reputation for the higheset levels of service and an innovative approach to transport needs. They contacted us in June 2015, looking for a shelter solution to make the most of an outdoor sales area for their range of BMW motorbikes (Bowker Motorrad) at their brand new dealership in Preston, Lancashire. We were recommended to them by an architect’s practice in the city.

Bradley Bowling Club was in need of a permanent, cost-effective shade structure to provide shelter over the pavilion at their bowling club in Wrexham, Clwyd.Able Canopies proposed a Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy as the ideal solution for the bowling club as it is a permanent, versatile canopy which is constructed of the highest quality materials and is cost effective. The Coniston can be constructed to any length and can wrap around buildings creating all weather coverage.

Cantonian High School in Fairwater, Cardiff were in the process of having some Portakabin buildings installed and required a large canopy that would provide a covered walkway along the length of their Textiles, Food Tech, Drama and Learning Centre classrooms.Portakabin requested a price from us as we work closely with them, offering their clients shade and shelter solutions that fit perfectly with their temporary buildings.The school required the canopy to be 68.58m long with a projection of 6m, as mentioned above to cover a number of classrooms.The SolutionThe Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy was proposed as the ideal solution as it covered the customer’s needs. It has a maximum projection of up to 6m, can be any length and offers high UV protection to those underneath including shelter from the rain.The school was happy with the design put forward by Able Canopies and Portakabin and placed an order for a 68.58m x 6m Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy.

T & B Contractors Ltd. had been contracted to build a state of the art extension and refurbish a number of existing areas at Capel Manor Primary School in Enfield, Middlesex. Part of the extension included a free standing canopy that would create solar energy for the school and protect the children playing underneath. Colm O’Boyle at T & B Contractors invited us to quote for a timber solar canopy that would sit adjacent to the year 2 classroom that was being revamped. They wanted a system that would let the light through as well as providing solar energy.

Castle Wood School required a number of outside shaded areas for the pupils at their school. A local architecture consultant created a suitable design and colour scheme which met the client’s requirements.

In November 2013, we were contacted by Stroods Specialist Contractors who were working on a project at Colchester General Hospital and required a canopy over the entrance of the accident and emergency department.

Conway Respite Centre, South YorkshireCouncil: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough CouncilContractor: R H Fullwood Ltd.Products: Two Devoke Junior Free Standing CanopiesSizes: 10.96m x 2m and 7.34m x 2mFrame Colours: Anthracite Grey RAL 7016Polycarbonate Colour: OpalInstallation Dates: September 2022The BriefConway Respite Service is a care home in Rotherham which specialises in caring for those with learning disabilities and autism. They have a block of residential houses available for those in need of 24-hour care, so their families and full-time carers can have some time to themselves.The Building Surveyor from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council reached out to Able Canopies Ltd. because their staff were accessing two separate buildings with no shelter between them. They wanted to connect the buildings as cost effectively as possible and keep staff dry when moving from one building to the other.The SolutionOne of their options would have been to build an extension that connects the buildings however this would be very costly and would cause a lot of disruption to the staff and residents. The perfect solution which is cost effective and causes minimum disruption is a covered walkway canopy.Simon, our Area Sales Manager met the Building Surveyor on site and discussed the canopy options available that would provide the benefits required. The Devoke Junior Walkway Canopy was the chosen shade and shelter solution because they required a canopy that was a free standing structure. They also liked the appearance of the Devoke Junior including the curvature of the roof.Following the initial proposals, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council then put the project out to Tender and the winning bid was from R H Fullwood Ltd. We had worked with them before on various projects and have a great working relationship with them.The InstallationThe Devoke Junior Free Standing Canopy allows for the roof to over-sail the existing buildings’ rear extensions, so the rain doesn’t run down in front of the doors. This was perfect because it means staff and residents will no longer get wet when entering or leaving the walkway and buildings.Because the two buildings that the canopy connects are not parallel; one is further back from the other, and there was also a step down from one area to the other, we all agreed to ’split’ the walkway into two separate canopies.The width of the Walkway only needed to cover the existing footpath, this allowed for the front foundations to be in the grass away from the path. This meant we were able to save time on the installation because we didn’t need to remove and reinstall the existing paving slabs.In September 2022, we supplied and installed a 10.96m x 2m and a 7.34m x 2m Devoke Junior Free-Standing Canopy connecting the adjacent buildings, keeping staff dry and sheltered. The canopies were installed over 4 days and the staff and residents moved into one building whilst we worked on the other, and then moved to the first building whilst we completed the second canopy installation.This ensured we caused minimum disruption to all on site and allowed them to continue with their usual routines.

The BriefFoley Building Contractors were working on a project at the hospital which is run by the Croydon Health Services NHS Trust. Part of their works required several canopies to provide shade and shelter for their patients and visitors whilst queueing outside due to the social distancing measures that were in place. Because the summer had come to an end and the wintery weather was on the way, these canopies were needed with a quick turnaround.The SolutionJust a couple of days after the initial enquiry, we were on site conducting a site survey to enable us to provide the contractor with a firm quotation. We provided them with a price for four Coniston Wall Mounted Canopies; two for their Elective Care and Heart Centre and then another two for their COVID-19 testing units.

Dartington C of E Primary School in Totnes, Devon were in the process of having a new £7 million school built. The new development consisted of 12 classrooms and a variety of contemporary facilities which 315 primary school pupils and 30 Early Years children would benefit from.As part of the design of the new school, the architect was keen to introduce a free-flow from the outside to the inside. It was also important to them that they create an outside space that could be used throughout the school year.The only way to achieve the level of cover required, would have been to install a number of wall mounted canopies adjacent to the school’s classrooms.It was therefore agreed that 130 metres of timber canopies would be installed around the school, wrapping around the building providing almost uninterrupted cover throughout. This included using our standard Tarnhow timber canopies and adding bespoke qualities to them such as a 90° ‘hip’ (external corner) and a 45° ‘valley’ (internal corner) to the buildings’ entrance and variations in the post heights due to the uneven ground height.

The BriefFlitwick Football Centre is a charity in Bedfordshire that aims to provide excellent opportunities to grow and develop sport in the local community of Flitwick. They had a 15m x 9m patio terrace on their grounds and required a canopy that would provide protection from the rain and the sun, so they could use it as a permanent marquee for events.They had browsed our website and liked the look of the Codale Junior Free-Standing Tensile Canopy and requested an estimate for a 15m x 9m structure. Shortly after, they also requested prices for 10m x 6m and 10m x 5m structures.Requesting prices for different sizes and products is a great way to discover your perfect shade and shelter solution that fits within your budget. We’re always happy to discuss your options and find the perfect product for both your needs and available funds.The Solution The volunteers at the football club were pleased with the prices and the specification of the Codale Junior, opting the 10m x 5m option and requested a full site survey so we could provide a firm quotation.To enable the football club to gain the maximum usage from their canopy, they were looking into the possibility of having lighting added to the canopy as well as side panels. These are both possible with the Codale Junior. Cables for lights can be run through the canopy posts as long as they are outdoor IP rated cables and are set within trunking.We also supply tensile fabric side panels for the Codale Junior that can be rolled up when not required. We can supply and install the side panels at a later date so there was no need for the club to make any commitment when ordering the canopy.Upon receipt of the canopy order, we organised a pre-site meeting to finalise the power connections, dimensions, access points, health and safety measures and contacts at the location. This is a standard procedure that applies to all canopy orders before the installation.At the pre-site stage, it was established that planning permission was required however, Able Canopies offer a free service and can submit planning documents, removing any unnecessary stress from our customers. A few years previous in 2019, we installed a canopy nearby at Flitwick Children’s Centre which also required planning permission, so having dealt with the local council before, we liaised with our existing contact to ensure we covered any issues that could arise, ensuring a speedy and smooth planning process.The Installation Once planning was approved, the canopy was installed as scheduled over two days in June 2021 and went ahead smoothly. The volunteers at Flitwick Football Club were pleased with their new shade and shelter structure and were looking forward to gaining a lot of use from it, especially as summer was in full swing.

Product:1no. Bespoke Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy: 74.26m x 3m – 3.5m2no. Standard Coniston Wall Mounted Canopies: 8m x 2.1m and 8.9m x 2.1mCanopy Frame Colour: Light Blue RAL 5012, matt finishInstallation Date: August - September 2019Contractor: Morgan SindallArchitect: Miller Bourne ArchitectsThe BriefIn September 2018, an invitation to tender was received by Able Canopies from Morgan Sindall Construction Ltd for a number of canopies at the brand new two-storey, primary and nursery school for which they had been awarded the contract to build to form part of the Hailsham Community College Academy Trust.After reviewing the tender documents we put our recommended products forward, which was a large Kensington wall mounted canopy and two Coniston wall mounted canopies.The architect then contacted us directly to detail that the main building frame was made up of large timber SIPS panels and the large steel posts were required to support the roof. However, they were also decorative in essence and played a significant part in the building aesthetic appeal, and they required Able Canopies to supply and install them as part of the package as they would run through the larger canopy.The original design and price we submitted did not require the inclusion of the steel posts, however we were then asked to include in our canpy costs. We therefore went back to the drawing board to come up with a canopy design which would fit the aesthetic and structural features required.The SolutionWhilst in talks with the architect, they explained that they favoured our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy system and also requested the NBS spec for the product which wasn’t a problem as our products are all listed on the NBS National BIM Library.We therefore looked at the Coniston system and worked with the structural engineer to ensure the steel beams could be incorporated into the canopy. This enabled us to supply the contractor and architect with an estimate so we could secure the works as an early package enabling them to cast the foundations required within the main slab.Because the bespoke Coniston would have the required large steel beams through the roof, we designed a solution to ensure the canopy would still be a fully waterproof system. This was easily achieved with the Coniston because we were able to comfortably flash/dress around the roof support columns, to create a seamless walkway with a watertight roof.However, the large steel beams and underside required a lot of design work, we diligently designed bespoke connections for the posts to the beams, bespoke connections for the roof bar to the steel beams and bespoke guttering & gutter connections. This replaced the Coniston’s standard integral guttering system with an external gutter system that worked with the design perfectly.Click the link to continue reading..... https://www.ablecanopies.co.uk/c/wall-mounted-canopy-case-studies/hailsham-community-college-primary-academy-case-study.html

The BriefHillingdon Hospital in Uxbridge, London were undergoing a refurbishment and required additional facilities to help keep their patients, staff and visitors dry and sheltered when arriving and leaving the hospital.The project, which was managed by Kier Construction and Blue Iris Partnerships, included a number of canopies along the entrance to their emergency department where patients and ambulances arrive 24/7.A speedy installation was an important factor, because the hospital had an ever-increasing need for outside cover due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Their staff, patients and visitors had to wait outside more frequently due to the current restrictions in place.The SolutionWhen putting our product forward to the Architect, Kier Construction explained that while our product wasn’t specified, the main features were in fact equal to the specified product and are designed for use in commercial settings, making it the perfect solution.This product is the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy which is an extremely versatile, commercial grade structure that met all the features required by both the Architect and the hospital including: A mono-pitch structure, integral guttering and drainage to the ground floor with no visible gutters, constructed from 100% non-corrosive material (aluminium) and a non-fragile polycarbonate roof system.Even though the Coniston is a wall mounted structure, some of the canopies detailed in this project needed to be free standing as the existing ramp that the canopy would cover is a distance from the wall. This was not an issue as the Coniston can be installed with rear posts transforming it into a free standing canopy.

In February 2020, we were approached by GD Construction who we have worked with in the past; they were working on a project at Ickenham Clinic in Uxbridge, London for Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. The clinic had an existing canopy which was supplied by a different supplier, yet it had received extensive wind damage and they were therefore looking to replace it.Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust were keen to replace the canopy promptly, so we needed to supply the estimated costs swiftly.

Jo Richardson Community SchoolProduct: Tarnhow Dome Free Standing Timber CanopyTimber Stain Colour: Antique PineCanopy Size: 35m x 11mEstimated Value: £90,000Installation Date: August 2017Contractor: KCH Contractors Ltd.The BriefJo Richardson Community School is a large school in east London. The School has around 1400 pupils between 11 – 19 years of age.In one part of the School there is a generous sized space that is enclosed on three sides by school buildings. The School has many courtyard spaces like this but this one is the busiest because it is next to the canteen and on the most direct route to the separate sports hall. As the space is uncovered it offers little shelter to pupils and staff. To transform this area, so that it could be protected and safe to use for dining, break times and other activities, the school wanted to cover it with a canopy.Initially they requested a steel framed canopy with no central posts. This would allow maximum use of the space (with no posts to restrict the flow of people or potential uses). There were two major drawbacks to this approach. The first was cost. A steel structure large enough to cover the space and work without central posts would not be cheap. The second was that using a steel structure, that was big enough to fit the space, had the potential to not be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings and environment.As this was such an important project it was essential that any solution satisfied both practical and aesthetic requirements. This can be seen in the rendered image below which shows how the all steel structure would have looked.A second, more cost-effective option was then proposed. This still used steel but included posts that would support from the centre. This gives more flexibility to the installation process and reduces costs, but does place limitations on the use of the space and flow of pupils under the canopy.In both cases a steel canopy was proving not to be the ideal option.The SolutionTo overcome the issues of using steel we suggested to the School that they consider our Tarnhow Dome Free Standing Timber Canopy. This would allow them to maximise the space, work within a manageable budget and use a material that would complement the existing buildings and make a strong and appealing visual statement.The final size was a canopy that measured 35 metres in length, by 11metres wide, with a height of 5 metres. This could be installed without central posts, thereby ensuring the space could be maximised and used for different activities and occasions.While timber was not the first thought for the customer it proved to be the perfect choice. With its good looks, provision of effective weather protection and value for money price, it ensured the school achieved their project goal of a transformed space that would provide value for them well into the future.InstallationThe final installation not only gave the school everything they needed in terms of weather protection but it also looked extremely impressive with the dramatic lines of the wooden Tarnhow frame drawing the eye through the structure to the end wall. The substantial height of the canopy added to the feel of space and depth that will mean the school can use it for all sorts of activities and events and not just as a seating area.It also allows large number of pupils to move around the space safely with plenty of room for seating and other equipment, such as a hot snack trolley, to be used.The installation itself was a textbook process with the frame going up quickly and then the roof panels being added to the structure. Our pre-installation visits and accurate measurements allowed us to have all the elements in place before the agreed installation date, meaning we could finish on time and on budget. We were even able to design and construct a neat bespoke solution where the canopy had to fit with the existing building – see image to the right.This meant that the protection from rain and snow was complete wherever you were under the canopy and would allow the school to get the most from their new space all year round.

Kent and Canterbury Hospital had received funding to complete a new sensory garden that could be used by their patients at the Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit within the hospital. Cardy Construction Ltd. were awarded the project to complete the garden and turn the design created by local garden designer, Christine Patterson into reality. The garden design included a requirement for some shade in part of the garden to offer cover over the new outdoor seating area.

Leicester Animal Aid is a rescue and rehoming centre who care for around 400 dogs and cats every year who are lost, abandoned, neglected unwanted or relinquished because their owners can no longer care for them.Their dog kennels feature hatches to provide the dogs with free-flow access to the outdoors, but because the kennels are south facing, they receive direct heat all day from the sun. They were therefore looking to invest in a canopy to provide shade and shelter to the dogs when enjoying time outside.

The BriefMorgan Sindall were tendering for an £18.8 million refurbishment of Lexden Springs School in Colchester, Essex which cares for children with special educational needs. The refurbishment included relocating the school to a new site with a brand-new building which would enable the school to create an additional x80 places, almost doubling the number of pupils they can support and offering an additional x30 boarding places for pupils.The Senior Quantity Surveyor from Morgan Sindall first contacted Able Canopies in December 2017 with the canopy designs that were produced by Curl La Tourelle Head Architecture. He asked us to submit our proposals for the canopy structures which included a number of free-standing canopies spread around various locations within the new school grounds.The SolutionAfter various conversations between Able Canopies and Morgan Sindall, plus a change in the original canopy requirements to ensure the very best solutions were found, we were able to cultivate a number of designs that suited the requirements of Morgan Sindall, the architect and the school staff.To achieve this, we utilised the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy to its full potential for many of the designs by incorporating rear posts, transforming it into a free-standing canopy and fixing two canopies back to back to create an apex roof design and a much bigger span. Not only did this ensure all canopies had similarities to create a uniform yet contrasting appearance, it also meant we could keep costs down and all the requirements from the architect were met.We installed a total of five canopies that feature timber end panels. The panels we use on our canopies are often clear polycarbonate however, it was an important requirement that the outside area featured a range of colours and textures to enhance the sensory experience for the children whilst playing. We are also able to source splinter proof timber to make it a much safer environment for them.

In September 2011 the Lidl store in Waterlooville, Hampshire underwent a refurbishment to their entrance area. However, since the refurbishment was completed, experienced a number of incidents of customers slipping over due to rain water entering the building and making the floor wet and slippery. This made the entrance area a high hazard that needed to be rectified.

The BriefWates Construction contacted us in October 2017 as they were tendering for the £7.8m development at Murray Park Community School in Mickleover, Derby. The project which was supported by SCAPE and funded by the ESFA, comprised of a brand-new building with a new reception area, 15 additional classrooms and office space.The SolutionWe were invited to attend a design meeting in February 2019 to discuss a shade and shelter solution that would work well with the area and match the design whilst also being cost effective and of the highest quality. From the meeting, it was agreed by all that the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy would be the perfect shade and shelter solution and the Langdale Cycle Shelters were the perfect product to provide the cycle coverage required.

Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, SomersetSomerset NHS Foundation TrustContractor:Portakabin®Product:The Coniston Wall Mounted CanopyProduct Size:Phase 1 - 23.8m x 4m – 4.5mPhase 2 - 11m x 4.5m and 2.5m x 4mAccessories:Side panels, planter pads and rear postsFrame Colour: Hipca White – RAL 9910Install Date:Phase 1 - 21st March – 1st April 2022Phase 2 - 19th – 27th April 2022The BriefMusgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Somerset were looking to increase the space within their hospital and provide a discharge lounge to support patients on the day they are ready to return to their usual home setting.Building a permanent extension would be a lengthy process, so to speed up the project, they opted for a temporary portable building supplied and installed by modular building specialists Portakabin®. The temporary building would be in place until a more permanent solution is found within the next couple of years.Although the building would only be in place for a couple of years, it was established that they would require some form of shade and shelter to connect the new building to the existing brick building and provide shelter above entrances for both buildings.The Solution To provide the shade and shelter the hospital required, Portakabin® contacted Able Canopies having previously worked with us before, to request a quotation. The canopy of interest was the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy, this is because we have worked with Portakabin® in the past and have developed special brackets so that our Coniston canopy fits onto their modular buildings perfectly we’ve also developed planter pads so that the Coniston is not installed into the ground.These adaptions were introduced specifically for temporary buildings because our canopies are designed to be permanent structures however, the need for high quality canopies attached to temporary buildings was becoming more and more apparent. The adaptions therefore enable us to remove the canopy easily without causing damage to the buildings and groundworks.After a selection of design changes, the final design chosen was a 23.8m Coniston with a 4m projection that extended to a 4.5m projection, a 11m x 4.5m Coniston and a 2.5m x 4m Coniston.Some of the canopies needed to be installed away from the building to allow for the air conditioning units and other obstacles. This is not problem for the Coniston as we can use rear posts to transform it into a free standing canopy which is exactly what we did here.They also chose to have side panels installed onto the canopies for additional protection from driving rain and wind during the colder months.The Installation The installation was scheduled to take place over two phases with the larger canopy being installed first and the smaller two canopies being installed a couple of weeks later. This was so that either the right-hand or left-hand sided ramps could be accessible at all times to all patients, staff and visitors. This was a not a problem as we often install larger jobs over a number of phases to allow the similar circumstances and to fit in with other building works.The varying design of the canopies made it hard to capture the end design in photos however, the technical diagrams below shows both phase 1 and phase 2 canopies.

Rush Green Primary School, LondonClient: London Borough of Barking & DagenhamProduct: The Coniston Wall Mounted CanopySize: 16.3m x 2.2mFrame Colour: Hipca WhiteInstallation Date: June 2023Brief Having worked with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham before on a number of projects, they contacted us again regarding their most recent project at Rush Green Primary School. The school which is located in Dagenham were having works completed which included a single storey extension, internal alterations, and refurbishment. As part of the works, they required a wall mounted canopy in their quad courtyard area to provide shade and shelter all year round.Proposal As requested, we provided an estimate for a Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy with a length of 16.3 metres and a projection of 2.2 metres. Because the Coniston is mounted to a wall, it requires a suitable wall to fix to; the building at Rush Green Primary School was a block construction which was covered with render, which is one of the many ideal wall constructions for the Coniston’s requirements. In the case where a wall may not have a suitable construction for a wall mounted canopy, we can supply the Coniston as a free-standing canopy with rear posts. Alternatively, we also have a number of free standing canopies that are similar in appearance to the Coniston which are the Grange Free Standing Canopy and for those with lower budgets, the Grange Junior Free Standing Canopy.Solution Upon comparing our canopy quotation to two other companies, an order was placed for our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy in May 2023.At the pre-site stage, there was a number of points to be discussed outside of the usual specifics which were:Foundations: Unless otherwise stated, foundations are included in all our canopy quotations. The flooring in at Rush Green Primary School featured raised decking, so we needed to investigate the area underneath the decking to check it was suitable for our foundations and they were.Access and Obstructions: The quad area features a pond which could have made an obstruction however, it was agreed that the pond would be covered over with strong boards so we could work over it.The canopy was installed at the start of June 2023 as scheduled with no problems along the way.If you have a similar project in mind, contact us today to request a free estimate or discuss a bespoke canopy with us.

he BriefLivingston Eyre Associates and Kier were working on a 44 million-pound project for the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust which aimed to create a through campus, linking a nursery, primary school, SEN school and secondary school providing 1,800 school places.The development included a number of canopies to provide shade and shelter throughout the campus grounds and to provide designated cycle parking areas to encourage cycling to school.We were originally contacted by an Architect at Livingston Eyre Associates in April 2018 when the project was in the planning stage. Able Canopies had been specified for the canopies and they contacted us to check that the sizes stipulated were feasible.The SolutionWithin the project, Able Canopies were specified for the supply and installation of seven canopies which included three Grange Junior Free Standing Canopies with Sheffield Cycle Racks to provide sheltered cycle parking adjacent to the drama courtyard and within the school square; two Coniston Wall Mounted Canopies to provide covered outdoor areas for the reception and early years pupils to play and learn outside; a bespoke pergola to cover an outdoor stage for impromptu entertainment within the schools community square; and an entrance canopy for the SEN school to provide a sheltered area for the school busses to drop off and pick up their SEN pupils.All products were standard products excluding the Kensington and pergola:

Nottingham Trent University required a secure cycle parking facility for their campus. The Witton Compound was recommended by Able Canopies, due to it's ability to completely enclose the bicycles inside the compound, for security, with the option to add locking system to provide enhanced security. Initially one compound was installed for the university, however since the first compound, the university were impressed by the product and service provided and 4 more have been ordered and installed for the university.

Able Canopies were commissioned by Bouygues (UK) Ltd to produce five bespoke canopies at Oaklands School in Tower Hamlets, London. These canopy installations were part of a major Building Schools for Future (BSF) project managed by Bouygues (UK) Ltd to refurbish parts of the school and construct a new building at the site. The canopies were crucial to bringing the whole look and feel of the refurbished site together and so communication, teamwork and painstaking attention to detail were vitally important to ensure a successful installation.

Our Lady of Pity Catholic Primary School required a shade structure to protect their pupils from the sun in their school playground in Wirral, Merseyside. They had researched different shade products and felt that shade sails would be ideal for their project because they offer high UV protection and would create a vibrant array of colour in the playground.

Park Community Primary School provides infant and primary education for over 250 children from the age of 3 to 11 years. Whilst in the process of building a new annexe at the school's site in Wrexham, the school identified a need for a number of canopies at various areas around the exterior of the building to provide shade and shelter for the pupils and staff.These new canopies would provide a covered outside area that could be enjoyed all year round, whatever the weather. However, in order to provide effective cover when moving from inside the building to under the canopy. Furthermore, the school was not keen on the aesthetics of a metal framed structure and so required an alternative material to be used for the framework.As the school did not want a metal structure installed, Able Canopies recommended their new range of Tarnhow Canopies which are constructed from Glulam timber.

The ChallengePreston Primary School required cover for their outdoor play area so that their pupils could play outside in all weather conditions at their school in Devon. The school liked the appearance and practicality of the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy, yet due to the fact that they did not want to fix a canopy to their existing building, they requested information on the free standing canopies available. They also had a fixed budget and therefore required a canopy that would fit into their budget without compromising on quality and size.The SolutionAble Canopies suggested the Grange Junior Free Standing Canopy as the ideal shelter solution for them due to its similar appearance to the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy, and the fact it also shared many of the Coniston's benefits including its ability to be constructed to an unlimited length. As a free standing structure the Grange Junior does not need to be fixed to a building or other structure which matched Preston Primary school's needs. It benefits from a robust steel frame which is covered with polycarbonate roof panels that offer high UV protection from the sun, making this product ideal for an educational environment.

The Architect from Ashley Hose Plc. contacted us because they were working on a project for two medical clinics in Bromley, Kent and as part of the project they were looking to add a buggy shelter to each of the clinics to provide a safe and sheltered place for parents and carers to leave their prams and buggies whilst visiting the surgeries.