How a Broadview Pergola Transformed Outdoor Dining at Aunt Fanny’s Farm Shop & Café

Creating an inviting outdoor dining space has become essential for cafés, farm shops and hospitality venues wanting to increase capacity, boost customer comfort and maximise year-round trade. A well-designed pergola doesn’t just provide shade; it creates a flexible, weather-resistant extension of your business that keeps guests comfortable in sun, wind and rain.

One of the best examples of this in action is the recent installation at Aunt Fanny’s Farm Shop & Café in Wimborne, Dorset where Broadview delivered a stunning, fully sheltered outdoor dining area that has quickly become a favourite spot for customers.

A Case Study: Aunt Fanny’s Farm Shop & Café, Wimborne

Aunt Fanny’s is known for its warm atmosphere, home-made food and idyllic rural setting - but like many venues, it faced a challenge: unpredictable British weather limited the number of usable outdoor seats, especially in cooler months.

To increase capacity and ensure customers could enjoy the outdoor space whatever the weather, the team partnered with Broadview to design and install a beautifully engineered pergola.

Key Features of the Installation

• A fully weather-resistant aluminium pergola that blends seamlessly with the café’s rustic surroundings
• Motorised roof louvres offering instant control over sun, shade and ventilation
• Integrated lighting to create ambience during evening service
• Side screens to provide wind protection, improve warmth, and extend usability throughout the year
• A comfortable, attractive dining area that feels like a natural part of the café environment and can be used for private events

The result? A stylish, functional outdoor space that has increased both seating capacity and customer satisfaction.

The Benefits of a Covered Outdoor Dining Area

A pergola creates far more than shelter; it offers practical and commercial advantages that make a measurable difference to hospitality venues.

1. Year-Round Revenue

Weather is no longer a deciding factor in how many seats you can offer. With a fully covered area, you maintain - and often expand - capacity throughout the year, even in colder, wetter months.

2. Enhanced Customer Experience

Guests can enjoy the fresh air with peace of mind, knowing they’ll be protected whether the sun is blazing or the rain starts to fall. Integrated lighting and optional heating turn outdoor spaces into cosy, atmospheric dining zones.

3. Greater Flexibility

Motorised louvres let you tailor the environment instantly:

• Open them up for sunshine and airflow
• Close them for full rain protection
• Angle them for shade during hot spells

This adaptability is one of the biggest advantages of choosing a Broadview pergola.

4. Increased Comfort With Side Screens

At Aunt Fanny’s, retractable screens help block wind and retain warmth, allowing customers to enjoy the outdoor area in comfort well beyond summer. They also add privacy and help control noise.

5. A Professional, Stylish Aesthetic

A modern pergola elevates the look of any venue. It sends a message that you care about quality, atmosphere and the customer experience.

Designed to Suit Your Business

Every venue is different, which is why Broadview offers a range of pergola styles from leading European manufacturer Brustor, alongside a wide range of customisation options. Whether your space requires a standalone pergola, a wall-mounted structure or a large, modular system, our team ensures the design complements both your building and your brand.

The Aunt Fanny’s installation shows how a thoughtfully designed pergola can blend with its surroundings while adding value in both function and visual appeal.

Why Choose Broadview?

With decades of experience designing shading solutions for hospitality businesses, Broadview provides:

• Bespoke design tailored to your space
• Premium European-engineered systems
• Professional installation
• Optional heating, lighting and side screens
• Solutions that increase capacity and enhance customer comfort

We understand how important it is for cafés, farm shops and restaurants to maximise every square metre of space – especially outdoors.

Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Dining Space?

If you’d like to create a comfortable, weather-resistant outdoor dining area just like Aunt Fanny’s Farm Shop & Café, our team is here to help.

Book a free site consultation by calling us on 01202 679012 or complete the enquiry form and we’ll be in touch to discuss what would work best for your venue.