Shopfronts for takeaways and hot food
A takeaway lives on its evening trade. The sign has to read from across the road after dark, the door takes constant use, and the shop often closes late on a quiet street. Heat, grease and steam also shorten the life of seals and coatings near the counter. Most owners need a hard-wearing aluminium frontage, a lit fascia, a shutter or grille for the hours they are shut, and a way to carry on trading during the work.
What matters most?
A sign that works at night
An illuminated fascia or individually lit letters carry the name after dark. Keep the wording short, so it can be read from a passing car.
Doors that cope with constant use
Aluminium door sets with a heavy-duty closer handle the steady flow of collections and delivery riders. Worn closers are a common fault on busy counters.
Security after closing
Laminated glass, a roller shutter or an open grille protects the frontage overnight. Pick the option that suits your council's policy for the street.
A route for delivery riders
A hatch or side door can keep riders away from the counter queue. Have any change to the frontage drawn up before you apply for consent.
In England a hot food takeaway is a sui generis use, so opening one in a former shop usually needs planning permission for the change of use, on top of any shopfront consent. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ, so confirm with your council first.
Common questions
How much does a takeaway shopfront cost?
An aluminium front for a takeaway is £2,495 to £7,995 ex VAT for a typical 3 to 5 m frontage. An illuminated sign is £795 to £3,495 ex VAT per sign on top of that. We give a free survey and a written fixed quote for new shopfronts.
Can you fit the front without closing my takeaway?
Often, yes. Overnight fitting after your last orders can be arranged, and we agree the sequence with you at the survey. Some jobs still need a short closure, which we tell you about in the quote.
Will a shutter need planning permission?
In England an external shutter often does, and many councils prefer open grilles or internal shutters to solid ones. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own rules, so ask your council before ordering.