A BUSINESS collaboration in the north west is preparing to roll out a new product to help bars and restaurants utilize outdoor space in the Covid-era.
Manufactured from aluminium and specially adapted glass, PODA has been developed by Mark Houston of CR3 Architecture in Artigarvan, near Strabane, and Leslie McClements of Derry-based Innovated Aluminum Technology (IAT).
The system has already attracted considerable interest all over the island of Ireland, with the first pods set to be installed in the next week.
Speaking to The Irish News, Mr Houston said the concept was conceived during a lull in business as a result of the lockdown.
“I had a lot more time to think. I was listening to restaurateurs talk about the difficulty in being able to seat a limited number of people.
“I thought there had to be some solution, whereby you could make use of areas outside restaurants, including pavements, car parks and open areas.”
He began to sketch out a few designs and soon reached out to Leslie McClements, whose expertise includes architectural glazing systems.
“I thought if we could team up and put something together, which was fairly simple, but durable,” said the Co Tyrone man.
The pair came up with a pod, glazed on three sides, which they call PODA. The product is now being manufactured at IAT’s factory in Campsie.
“Every publican or restaurateur is concerned about their patron’s safety and they don’t want to put people into something which could invalidate their public liability insurance,” said Mr Houston.
The pods are expected to cost around £5,500, with discount for multiple purchases. However, the designer said the build quality and materials will ensure a lifespan of at least 25 years.
The aluminium-based system has been developed to facilitate power and heating systems, with the potential to link multiple pods.
“You can have standalone pods, but that’s not really what we’re aiming at. We believe that a bar or restaurant could set five of these up and seat between four and six patrons each, depending on the set-up.”
The pair also intend to develop it as a flat-pack system, allowing it to be easily shipped around the island of Ireland.
“There has already been a good reception and anyone we have showed it to so far have been impressed.
“The idea is that these would be essentially flat-packed. We’re going to have it set up so there is a limited amount of fixings so it could be put together on site by whoever purchases them.”
