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Maximise Your Outdoor Covers

At Empire Awnings, we help bars, restaurants, cafés, and pubs increase their usable outdoor space with premium awning solutions designed for hospitality settings. As experienced awning installers in Southampton, we supply and fit branded awnings, motorised systems, and robust canopies that support daily service while enhancing the look and feel of your frontage.

Our Services

Premium retractable awnings for homes and businesses

Every installation is customised to fit the architecture, usage and character of your space. With a range of fabrics, finishes and accessories, we ensure your awning meets your practical needs while matching your aesthetic vision.

Automated systems with sun and wind sensor options

LED lighting and heating accessories

Custom printed fabrics for commercial branding

A broad range of fabrics, designs and valance styles

Professional surveying, installation and aftercare

The Empire Advantage

With over 20 years of experience, we combine UK-engineered quality with tailored design to deliver durable shading systems suited to busy hospitality environments. Our installations improve year-round usability, strengthen brand presence, and provide dependable performance where consistency matters.

Expert Installation

Professional, safe, and carefully managed fitting for active hospitality venues.

Made in Britain

High-quality engineering built for strength, reliability, and long-term use.

Smart Technology

Automated controls for smooth operation during service and changing conditions.

UV-Resistant

Durable fabrics that maintain colour and appearance under constant exposure.

Bars & Restaurant Awning Systems

For a range of hospitality environments, we provide tailored awning systems designed to meet the operational demands of bars, restaurants, cafés, and pubs, while also adapting to different frontage layouts and customer flow requirements:

Motorised Awnings: High-torque Somfy systems designed for smooth, reliable operation during busy service periods.

Electric Awnings: Efficient powered solutions, ideal for expanding outdoor seating areas and supporting larger dining terraces.

Smart Awnings: Integrated wind and sun sensors automatically adjust retractable systems, while robust, weather-resistant frames ensure dependable all-weather performance in changing conditions.

High Quality Awnings Tailored for Every Sector

Elegant designs for patios, balconies, and terraces.

Enhance kerb appeal and safeguard displays with custom-branded logo awnings, ensuring 24/7 visibility and stronger brand recognition.

Maximise alfresco dining with terrace awnings and optional heated canopy systems.

Maximize outdoor learning and play with interactive play areas and optional shaded canopies for all-weather comfort.

Trusted Bars & Restaurant Awning Experts Across Southampton & Hampshire

Empire Awnings is a trusted provider of high-quality bars and restaurant awnings in Southampton and the wider Hampshire area. We deliver professional installations for hospitality venues including restaurants, cafés, pubs, and bars, combining local expertise with the capability to support multi-site commercial projects, ensuring consistent quality and reliable service across every installation.

Locally, we serve Southampton and surrounding areas including Eastleigh, Romsey, Totton, and Winchester, offering responsive support, practical guidance, and tailored awning solutions designed to improve outdoor dining and customer comfort throughout the year.

From independent cafés to larger hospitality groups, Empire Awnings provides dependable, bespoke shading systems across Hampshire and beyond, helping businesses maximise outdoor seating capacity while improving usability in all weather conditions.

What our customers say

We had a retractable awning installed over our café seating area and the difference has been immediate. It has allowed us to keep tables in use even when the weather changes, which is a huge advantage in Southampton. The installation was smooth, and everything was explained clearly from start to finish. The space now feels more inviting and practical for customers.

Sarah M. – Café Owner, Southampton

We wanted to make better use of our beer garden and Empire Awnings delivered exactly what we needed. The new system is solid, easy to operate, and has already helped increase outdoor covers. It feels like a proper extension of our pub rather than just an add-on. Very pleased with the result and the overall service.

James R. – Pub Landlord, Hampshire

Our outdoor dining area has completely changed since the awning was installed. It looks more professional and gives customers comfort whether it’s sunny or drizzling. The team worked around our opening hours which made a big difference. We’ve had several compliments from regular customers since the upgrade.

Laura P. – Restaurant Manager, Winchester

We needed something reliable for year-round use and that’s exactly what we got. The awning handles wind and light rain well, and the build quality feels strong. It’s also improved the look of our frontage, which has helped attract more walk-ins. Overall, a worthwhile investment for a small business like ours.

Mark T. – Bistro Owner, Eastleigh

We had multiple sites fitted and consistency across all installations was impressive. Each location was completed to a high standard and on schedule. The systems are easy for staff to use, and the branding options really helped tie everything together visually. It’s made a noticeable difference across our outdoor seating areas.

Helen S. – Café Chain Operations Manager, Hampshire

Very reliable and easy to deal with. Communication was clear throughout, and the installation was completed on time. The finished result looks professional and has really added value to our outdoor area. Would definitely use them again.

Daniel H. – Romsey

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about choosing and maintaining your residential awning.

Are bars and restaurant awnings suitable for UK weather conditions?

Yes. Our awnings are designed specifically for UK weather, including the changeable conditions experienced in Southampton and Hampshire. They are manufactured using durable, weather-resistant fabrics and corrosion-resistant frames to provide protection from sun, wind, and light rain. Optional wind sensors can also be added to automatically retract the system in stronger conditions for added safety.

Can awnings help increase outdoor seating capacity for my business?

Yes. Installing a commercial awning allows hospitality venues to make better use of outdoor space throughout the year. By providing shelter from sun and rain, it enables restaurants, cafés, and pubs to increase usable seating areas and improve customer comfort, which can support higher table turnover and improved revenue potential.

Do I need planning permission for a restaurant or bar awning in Southampton?

In some cases, planning permission may be required, particularly if the awning projects over public land, is significantly large, or includes branded signage. Requirements vary depending on location and property type. We advise customers during the survey stage and can help guide them through the relevant local authority considerations in Southampton and Hampshire.

Can the awnings be branded with my business logo or design?

Yes. We offer custom printed fabrics that allow businesses to incorporate logos, colours, and branding directly into the awning design. This is particularly popular for bars, restaurants, and cafés as it improves visibility, strengthens brand identity, and helps attract passing trade in busy commercial areas.

Let’s talk about your project. Book a free survey and discover the best shading solution for your space.

Premium Bars & Restaurant Awnings