Tebay Services, situated near the Lake District, is far from your typical motorway service station. Known for its Farm Shop, restaurant and focus on locally sourced produce, it offers visitors a very different experience from a conventional motorway stop.
Security Direct recently had the opportunity to work on a project at this prestigious site, providing a security solution for the newly extended entrance to the Farm Shop.
The project presented an interesting challenge. The client wanted to make the entrance significantly wider and more open, creating a welcoming environment for customers during trading hours while still being able to securely close the Farm Shop when required.
With an opening of approximately 12 metres wide, limited headroom and the need to keep the entrance as open as possible, a conventional roller shutter wasn't the most suitable solution.
The Challenge: Securing a 12-Metre-Wide Farm Shop Entrance
As part of the redevelopment, the main contractor carried out building works to increase the Farm Shop entrance from approximately 6 metres to 12 metres wide.
The larger opening helped create the open-plan appearance the client wanted, but it also created a new security challenge.
A traditional roller shutter was considered, but the combination of the very wide opening and limited available headroom meant this wasn't the best option for the project.
The client also considered our Sliding Shutters. However, after reviewing the alternatives, they preferred a High Security Retractable Grille.
The retractable grille offered several advantages for this particular application. It provided the heavier-duty appearance the client wanted, was a more cost-effective solution and maintained the open feel of the Farm Shop entrance.
Why Choose a High-Security Retractable Grille?
Retractable security grilles can be particularly effective for large commercial openings where a traditional shutter isn't practical or where maintaining visibility is important.
For Tebay Services, the grille could be extended across the entrance when security was required and retracted when the Farm Shop was open.
This provided a combination of:
- Physical security across a very large opening
- An open appearance through the grille
- Minimal impact on the Farm Shop during trading hours
- A practical alternative where there was insufficient headroom for a roller shutter
- A cost-effective solution for the size of the opening
- Flexibility in how different sections of the entrance could be used
This last point became particularly useful in the final design.
Supporting a Large Retractable Security Grille
With an opening approximately 12 metres wide, careful consideration had to be given to the structure supporting the grille.
The main contractor therefore provided additional supports across the top of the opening to help carry the weight of the security grille.
Coordination between the security product and the surrounding building works was an important part of the project. On unusually large openings, it's essential to consider not just the security product itself, but also what it will be fixed to and how it will operate once installed.
Top and Bottom Rolling Wheels for Easier Operation
Because of the overall size of the opening, we specified the grilles with top and bottom rolling wheels.
These help support the grille as it moves and make a large system considerably easier to operate.
Ease of use is particularly important with a product that staff may need to open and close regularly. A security solution can provide excellent protection, but it also needs to be practical for the people using it every day.
The rolling wheel arrangement helped achieve that balance.
Creating a Neat Storage Area for the Grille
Another clever element of the project was how the grille was stored when the Farm Shop was open.
The main contractor constructed a cupboard at one side of the opening, allowing half of the retractable grille to neatly stack away when it wasn't required.
Rather than simply leaving the other half unused, it was incorporated into the operation of the Farm Shop.
When the shop was open for business, the remaining section of grille could be used as a dividing wall.
This meant the security system had a useful secondary purpose during trading hours rather than only being required when the shop was closed.
Security Without Losing the Open-Plan Design
One of the main objectives of the refurbishment was to make the Farm Shop entrance feel larger, more open and more welcoming.
Installing a security solution shouldn't undermine the purpose of the refurbishment itself.
The High Security Retractable Grille worked particularly well because it could provide a substantial physical barrier when required while retaining visibility through the opening.
When not needed, a large section could be stacked neatly away.
This made the grille a practical solution for balancing security, appearance and everyday operation.
A Flexible Solution for Large Commercial Openings
Although this installation was for a Farm Shop, the same principle can apply to many other commercial premises with large or unusual openings.
Retractable security grilles can be considered for applications including:
- Retail stores and shopping centres
- Farm shops
- Restaurants and hospitality venues
- Reception areas
- Internal commercial spaces
- Schools and public buildings
- Warehouses and industrial premises
- Large entrances where roller shutter headroom is restricted
Every opening is different, however, particularly when dealing with unusually large dimensions. The supporting structure, fixing points, floor, available stacking space and frequency of operation all need to be considered when specifying the system.
Project Completion – A Personal Note
I was personally involved in helping with the Tebay Services project and finding the right solution for what was quite an unusual opening.
Tebay is also a site I particularly enjoy visiting myself. It isn't like a conventional motorway service station, and the Farm Shop and locally sourced produce give it a completely different feel. If you're ever travelling near Tebay, I'd recommend calling in. Gloucester Services is operated by the same family business and is also well worth a visit.
From a security perspective, this was an interesting project because simply installing a standard roller shutter wasn't really an option. We had to consider the width of the new opening, limited headroom, how the grille would be supported and, importantly, how staff would use it every day.
Seeing the completed installation was particularly satisfying. The High Security Retractable Grilles provided the security the client needed without taking away from the open and welcoming entrance they had worked hard to create.
The way one section could be concealed inside a purpose-built cupboard while the other could function as a dividing wall was also a great example of the main contractor, client and Security Direct working together to make the security solution part of the overall design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a retractable security grille be used across a very wide opening?
Yes. Retractable security grilles can be manufactured for large commercial openings, subject to the individual product specification and supporting structure. At Tebay Services, the entrance was increased to approximately 12 metres wide, requiring additional structural support and careful consideration of how the grille would operate.
Why wasn't a roller shutter used at Tebay Services?
The enlarged opening was approximately 12 metres wide and there was also insufficient headroom for a conventional roller shutter. A High Security Retractable Grille therefore provided a more practical solution while maintaining the open appearance the client wanted.
What happens to a retractable grille when it isn't being used?
Retractable grilles stack back towards the side of an opening. At Tebay Services, the main contractor constructed a purpose-built cupboard so that half of the grille could be neatly concealed when the Farm Shop was open.
Are large retractable security grilles difficult to operate?
The design of the system can make a significant difference. For this large opening, Security Direct specified top and bottom rolling wheels to support the grilles and make them easier for staff to operate.
Can retractable grilles be used as internal partitions?
They can be suitable for certain internal access-control and separation applications. At Tebay Services, one section of the grille was used as a dividing wall while the Farm Shop was open, giving the installation an additional practical purpose beyond securing the shop after closing.
Need to Secure a Large or Unusual Opening?
Not every commercial opening is suitable for a conventional roller shutter. Width, headroom, available side room, visibility and how the entrance is used can all affect the best solution.
Security Direct supplies High Security Retractable Grilles, Sliding Shutters and a wide range of other commercial security products for unusual and oversized openings.
If you're unsure which option will work for your premises, contact Security Direct and we can help you assess the opening and identify a suitable solution.
You can also read independent customer feedback about Security Direct on our Feefo Review Page and Trustpilot.
