- Location
- Arbroath, Dundee and Angus
- Main postcode district
- DD11
- Nearby (straight line)
- Montrose (11 miles), Forfar (13 miles) and Dundee (16 miles)
- Survey and quote
- Free, with a fixed written quote
A retractable dock shelter is a fabric shelter fixed to the building around a loading bay door, with flexible top and side curtains carried on a sprung or pantograph steel frame. When a trailer reverses in, the frame retracts and the curtains drape against the trailer's sides and roof, closing most of the gap while leaving the full width of the trailer opening clear for loading.
What should sites in Arbroath consider?
Industrial landlords in Arbroath refreshing a multi-let estate can fit shelters that suit a range of future tenants and the trailers they may use. Docks facing open ground in Arbroath can catch rain driven sideways into the bay, which a well-fitted retractable shelter helps keep out.
Loading staff at a draughty dock in Arbroath notice the difference when the gaps around the trailer are closed, especially through the colder months.
Our part of the job in Arbroath is to survey, quote and manage; the fitting itself is done by specialist installation engineers working under our management. The survey and the written quote are free. Once the fixed price is accepted, we agree dates that work around your deliveries and shifts, including out-of-hours working where needed. Every installation is tested before handover, and you receive the documentation for each item fitted.
How do I size a retractable shelter for my trailers?
Size a retractable shelter to the largest trailer you receive, with a projection deep enough for opened trailer doors and the leveller lip, and curtains that still reach the smallest vehicles. The trailer mix sets almost every dimension.
- Width: wider than the trailer, so the side curtains drape along its sides rather than across the opening.
- Height: high enough for the tallest trailers, with a top curtain deep enough to reach the roof of the lowest.
- Projection: deep enough for the rear doors, folded back along the trailer sides, to sit inside the curtains.
- Curtain cut-outs: vertical slits let the side curtains wrap around hinges and rear fittings without tearing.
- Guide stripes: contrasting stripes on the curtains help drivers centre the trailer.
If your fleet is uniform, a seal may give a tighter fit. Our guide to shelters and seals sets out the trade-offs.
What regulations and permissions apply to a dock shelter?
A dock shelter is work equipment, so it must be suitable and kept in a safe condition, and on some projects planning, building control or landlord consent also needs checking. What applies depends on the nation and the scope of work.
- Equipment duties: PUWER 1998 in Great Britain, and PUWER (Northern Ireland) 1999, require shelters, like other dock equipment, to be suitable, maintained and inspected where deterioration could lead to danger. A damaged frame or loose curtain can strike a driver or vehicle.
- Regulator: HSE in Great Britain and HSENI in Northern Ireland.
- Planning: external structures such as loading houses, canopies or new dock approaches can need planning permission. If a shelter is part of wider external works, we check this at survey.
- Building control: forming a new opening for a door and shelter may need Building Regulations approval in England and Wales, a building warrant in Scotland or building control approval in Northern Ireland.
- Your lease: landlords often require consent for fixings to the building.
The same published guide range applies across Scotland; access, out-of-hours working and site conditions are confirmed at the free survey.
Survey checklist for your dock
- Wall and steel structure for door, shelter and bumper fixings
- Working hours, shift patterns and windows for out-of-hours work
- How often each door cycles during a typical shift
- Age and condition of the equipment already in place
- Temperature requirements for chilled, frozen or ambient goods
- Drainage on recessed or sloping dock approaches
Options to discuss
Adjustable top curtain
A top curtain that can be lowered or raised to suit the height of the trailers you receive, closing the gap above lower vehicles.
Sprung-frame shelter
Side frames on springs that fold back when a trailer pushes in and recover when it leaves, a robust choice for busy docks and mixed fleets.
What do the rules in Scotland mean for the work?
HSE is the workplace safety regulator in Scotland. At a loading bay in Arbroath, doors need to satisfy regulation 18 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, dock equipment must be kept safe under PUWER, and drivers must be prevented from pulling away too early. We check what applies at survey.
Questions about retractable dock shelters in Arbroath
Is VAT included in your guide prices for retractable dock shelters?
No. Our customers are businesses, so guide prices exclude VAT, which is added at the standard rate. The same guide range applies in Dundee and Angus as everywhere else: for retractable dock shelters, it is £1,900 to £4,400 per shelter, excluding VAT. It covers supply and fit for a typical installation. Your fixed written quote after the free survey shows the net price, the VAT and exactly what is included.
What warranty comes with new loading bay equipment?
New equipment comes with the manufacturer's warranty, which varies by product. Our workmanship terms are set out in writing in the quote for your Arbroath site, so you can see what is covered before you commit. Check the warranty terms for any servicing conditions, and we can quote for planned maintenance once the installation is complete.
What details do you need from us to quote for retractable dock shelters?
To get started, send the site address in Arbroath, the number of bays or openings, approximate sizes, and photos of the dock from inside and outside. Tell us what vehicles you load, what goods you handle and any temperature requirements. Drawings help on new builds. We then arrange the free survey and confirm the details before the written quote is issued.
What projection should a dock shelter have?
Projection should be deep enough to clear opened trailer doors and hinges and to suit the leveller lip and bumpers. Shelters are commonly made with projections from around 500 to 1,000 mm, and we recommend a depth once we know your trailers and leveller.
Can I replace just the curtains on an old shelter?
Yes, if the frame and fixings are sound, new top and side curtains can be fitted to an existing shelter, which is often the most economical way to restore it. The frame and springs are checked first, because new curtains on a failing frame will not last. This is handled as a repair, with the visit price agreed beforehand.
Retractable dock shelters near Arbroath
Other towns within reach of Arbroath on our coverage list include Montrose (11 miles), Forfar (13 miles) and Dundee (16 miles), all covered on the same terms.
Other loading bay services in Arbroath
Full guide to retractable dock shelters · Everything we do in Arbroath
Send a few photos of the dock and a short description of the problem, and we will come back to you about your Arbroath site.