Table of Contents
- Why Outdoor Smoking Shelters Matter for Your Workforce
- How Smoking Shelters Improve Employee Morale and Productivity
- Workplace Smoking Shelter Regulations UK: What Employers Must Know
- Cost-Effective Smoking Shelter Solutions for Every Budget
- Pros and Cons of Installing Smoking Shelters
- Choosing the Right Outdoor Smoking Shelter for Your Site
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 18 September 2026
Why Outdoor Smoking Shelters Matter for Your Workforce
A well-run workplace rarely has one single fix for staff morale, but the benefits of installing outdoor smoking shelters for employees come close. At Store Fittings Direct, we've supplied thousands of shelters to businesses that needed a practical answer to a daily problem: where do smoking staff go, and how do you keep everyone comfortable while they're there? A smoking shelter is a covered, partially open outdoor structure that gives employees a designated place to smoke, protected from rain and wind, while keeping second-hand smoke away from non-smokers. The UK Government guidance on smoke-free workplaces sets out the legal baseline employers work from, and a shelter is how most sites meet it without friction.
The case for installing one goes beyond compliance. It's about litter, weather, morale and how your site looks to visitors. Below, we'll break down what actually changes when you put a proper shelter in place, what the rules require, and how to pick the right size for your team.
How Smoking Shelters Improve Employee Morale and Productivity
Smoking breaks are shorter and better organised when there's a proper shelter. Employees who smoke take breaks regardless of the weather. Without a shelter, those breaks stretch longer as people huddle in doorways, walk to a nearby corner, or wait for a gap in the rain. A covered area close to the building shortens the round trip and keeps breaks predictable.
There's a social side too. A shelter becomes a natural meeting point where staff from different teams talk during downtime. Many employers find this informal contact improves how teams work together day to day. It also signals that you've thought about the people who work for you, not just the ones who don't smoke.
- Shorter, more predictable breaks
- Less time spent walking off site
- Fewer complaints from non-smoking staff about smoke drifting through entrances
- A cleaner, more professional frontage
Workplace Smoking Shelter Regulations UK: What Employers Must Know
The key rule is simple: a smoking shelter must be at least 50% open. This keeps it legally a shelter rather than an enclosed space, which would fall under the smoking ban. Most of our shelters are built to this standard, with open sides and a covered roof.
Employers also have a duty of care under health and safety law to provide a safe environment for all staff, including non-smokers who shouldn't have to walk through clouds of smoke to enter the building. Positioning matters as much as the structure itself. Keep shelters away from entrances, windows and ventilation intakes.
If you're unsure what applies to your site, check the official guidance on smoking in the workplace before you buy. The rules are consistent across the UK, but how they apply depends on your building and where the shelter sits.
Large Smoking Shelter | The Debdale →
Cost-Effective Smoking Shelter Solutions for Every Budget
You don't need a large budget to give staff a decent shelter. Our range starts with compact, slimline models and scales up to high-capacity structures for large sites. The right choice depends on how many people smoke on your team and how much space you have.
Shelter |
Capacity |
Footprint |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
Freestanding Slimline |
2-4 people |
1000mm deep |
Tight spaces, small teams |
Budget Shelter Bundle |
4 people |
2m x 2m |
Single car park space |
Curved Roof Shelter |
4-6 people |
Standard modular |
Pubs, offices, public sites |
40+ people |
9m x 4m |
Large workplaces, venues |
For most small and mid-sized sites, our cost-effective Budget Smoking Shelter Bundle is the best seller for good reason. It balances durability with a price that suits tighter budgets, and it ships fully compliant with the 50% open-area rule.
The Eco Smoking Shelter: Our Best Seller
The Budget Smoking Shelter Bundle is our most popular model because it does the basics well without inflating the price. It's built from galvanised steel, comes with a polycarbonate roof, and meets the 50% open-area requirement out of the box. For a small team, it's often the only shelter you'll need.
If your site is larger, the same design principles scale up through the Inglewood, Glendale and Ryton models, all of which accept extension bays so you can grow the shelter as your headcount changes.
Pros and Cons of Installing Smoking Shelters
It's worth being honest about both sides before you commit budget.
Pros:
- Keeps cigarette litter in one place, with bins built into most designs
- Protects staff from rain and wind, so breaks stay short
- Reduces smoke drifting into entrances and windows
- Improves how your site looks to customers and visitors
- Meets your duty of care to both smoking and non-smoking staff
- Can double as a waiting or viewing area when not in use
Cons:
- Upfront cost, though it's a one-off rather than an ongoing expense
- Needs a suitable flat surface and bolt-down fixing points
- Takes up outdoor space that could be used for parking or storage
- Requires occasional cleaning and litter checks
Choosing the Right Outdoor Smoking Shelter for Your Site
Start with capacity, then work backwards to size. A shelter that holds four people comfortably needs roughly a single car park space. A shelter for forty needs a serious footprint, closer to 9m by 4m. Between those two extremes, modular designs let you add bays rather than replace the whole structure.
Large Smoking Shelter | The Debdale →
Next, match the material to your conditions. Galvanised steel suits exposed, coastal or high-wind sites. Aluminium, like our Cannock model, resists corrosion and comes in a coated finish that suits more polished frontages. All our shelters arrive with free delivery, and the smaller models assemble on site with basic tools in a couple of hours.
Finally, think about placement. Put the shelter where smokers naturally drift, not where it's easiest to install. If it's too far from the building, people won't use it.
Getting staff facilities right is one of those jobs that quietly shapes how a workplace feels day to day. Store Fittings Direct has spent over 30 years supplying durable, compliant shelters to businesses, schools and public sites, with more than 1.3 million products sold and a Price Match Promise behind every order. Our shelters ship with free nationwide delivery, trade accounts come with 30 days interest-free credit, and bulk discounts are available for larger sites. Get started with Store Fittings Direct and give your team a shelter that lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are employers legally required to provide smoking shelters in the UK?
No, UK law does not require employers to provide smoking shelters. The Health Act 2006 and the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006 ban smoking in enclosed and substantially enclosed public places. However, providing a compliant outdoor smoking shelter helps employers meet their duty of care and manage smoking on site. A shelter must remain at least 50% open to avoid being classified as substantially enclosed.
What are the benefits of having a designated smoking area for employees?
A designated smoking area keeps smoke away from non-smokers, reduces litter from cigarette butts, and gives smokers a comfortable, weather-protected space during breaks. It also improves morale by showing that the business values staff wellbeing. For employers, it demonstrates compliance with workplace smoking shelter regulations UK and reduces the risk of smoking near entrances or fire exits.
How do smoking shelters help maintain a clean workplace environment?
Smoking shelters provide a fixed location for smoking and often include a cigarette bin. This concentrates cigarette waste in one area instead of scattering it across entrances, car parks, or loading bays. Fewer cigarette butts mean less litter picking, lower fire risk, and a tidier appearance for visitors and staff. A clean environment also reduces complaints from non-smoking employees and customers.
What should I consider when choosing an outdoor smoking shelter?
Check the 50% open-area rule for UK compliance, then match capacity to the number of smokers on site. Consider the footprint against your available space, the fixing method (bolt-down or free-standing), and materials suited to your weather exposure. Cost-effective smoking shelter solutions start with compact units and can be extended. Free delivery and bulk trade pricing help control the total cost.
