An A3 portrait format menu case from Greenbarnes' new Man-made Timber Smallboard range.

Restaurant owners know that now, more than ever before, success depends upon creating a good first impression. If passers-by don’t even break their stride to glance at your menu, then its content is irrelevant, they won’t be dining. So presenting the information in a tidy and professional fashion becomes a prerequisite of success, but how is this best achieved?

In many cases, particularly in urban surroundings, the answer lies in the use an aluminium menu case (and we offer plenty of alternatives to fill this requirement), but is there something more appropriate for use elsewhere, in more rural surroundings?

The traditional and obvious answer to this question is to use a timber display case of some description, but these do require unflinching dedication to their regular maintenance in order to keep them in tip-top condition.

But fear not! Now there is a maintenance-free solution that looks like timber but has none of the inherent problems of wooden menu boards – the Greenbarnes Man-made Timber Smallboard.

Greenbarnes have been manufactured larger scale notice boards in this versatile recycled plastic material since 1994 and, as a result of demand, we are now pleased to offer these menu-sized cases in 3 standard sizes, A2, A3 & A4 in portrait and landscape formats. Man-made timber will not warp, rot, split or fade and as it is totally impervious to salt, it is ideal for use in sea front environments.

For more details of the benefits of man-made timber, please click here. Alternatively, to discuss the possibilities, including branding and bespoke sizes, please call our sales team on 01280 701093.

Top: Solar-powered lamp posts providing lighting without the need for a mains connection. Bottom: Solar-powered bollards; a cost-effective method to light the way

Cost-effective lighting is set to take a significant step forward with the introduction of our new solar-powered lamp post and bollard system. Available as 2000, 3000 or 4000mm posts and 1000mm high bollards, these units offer significant cost savings on both installation (as they require no cable runs or mains connections) and running costs.

Intelligent design also means that the separate solar panels which have made previous products expensive and prone to vandalism are a thing of the past. Instead, the solar units are protected by a polycarbonate cover and are housed stylishly within the post itself.

Applications include walkways, cycle paths, car parks, schools, universities, sports grounds, retail and leisure centres. The system generates 350 lumens whilst using only 3 watts of energy. An inbuilt sensor ensures that the units only light up when approached by people, cars or bikes reducing both power consumption and light pollution. Units can be pre-programmed to light up in sequence, for an agreed duration, and needs just 1 hour of sunshine per month to generate sufficient power.

Keen interest is expected in both posts and bollards which are due for release in late summer 2010. To receive further information as it becomes available click here to register your interest now.

Top: Parker Hoop bicycle stand. Bottom: Harlequin bicycle rack

There can be little doubt that cycling is on the increase. We have come a long way since Sustrans first mooted the idea of a National Cycle Network in 1995 and, with their current “Bike It” campaign to get children cycling to school and the efforts of other bodies such as Cycling England to persuade us to take to two wheels, the chances are that the trend is set to continue.

This is all good news, both in terms of the environment and also for personal health, but it does bring with it one problem – where to park all the extra bikes? We are told that currently just 2% of children cycle to school. Judging by the tangled heap of bikes outside my local primary school each morning, if a significant proportion of the remainder are also persuaded, school playgrounds will rapidly begin to resemble scrap yards.

So what can you do to avoid this latest manifestation of the parking problem? Well, a good start can be made by visiting the Bicycle Parking page of our website where we have assembled range of cost-effective solutions including a bike rests and bike stands including single and double sided versions, floor and wall-mounted models, galvanised and stainless steel finishes, a bright multi-coloured one called Harlequin especially for school playgrounds and even one for hanging bicycles from the ceiling if you are really inundated.

A good second step would be to contact our sales team on 01280 701093 or email our Sales Department .

We look forward to hearing from you.

Solar-powered notice board wall-mounted version

Greenbarnes have turned to solar-power for the latest additions to our range of external aluminium notice boards and display cases. With the emphasis currently being placed on implementing environmentally responsible solutions this is bound to appeal to a wide body of users, not least local authorities.

The benefits however are not confined to the product’s green credentials; the lack of need for a mains power supply not only makes installation significantly cheaper but also allows illumination in areas where this would previously have been impractical. Hence, a wide range of users including churches, schools and parish councils are now able to double the effectiveness of their message by getting it across day and night.

Motion sensors and a timing mechanism ensure that lighting is active on only when people are in close proximity, hence maximising battery life. For more information download an information sheet or contact our Sales Department via email or use our contact form on this site.

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We update our brochures to reflect the current market conditions and requirements once or twice a year and you can download the latest by going to the relevant product page. However, many people like to order high quality printed versions of the brochures directly from us with a view to presenting them to the organisation, group, team, director or other person who gives the final go-ahead on a project!

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