Counter & hatch shutters
Compact shutters for serving hatches, bars, kiosks, receptions and canteens.
A counter shutter is a small roller shutter that closes over a serving hatch, bar, kiosk or reception counter. It locks the area away when it is not in use, and comes in aluminium, steel, timber-effect or fire-rated versions.
- Shop & commercial shutters
- From £645 + VAT
- UK-wide
Get a free quote
Send the postcode and rough size. We reply with a guide price and book a free survey.
How counter & hatch shutters work
Counter shutters use slim laths and a compact box so they fit above a hatch without taking much space. Most are manual, lifted and locked by hand, with electric operation available on wider counters. Bars and pubs often choose timber-effect or powder-coated shutters that suit the interior. Schools, hospitals and canteens use counter shutters to close servery areas between meals.
Where the hatch is in a fire-resisting wall, a fire-rated counter shutter keeps the wall's protection. Locks can be fitted at the bottom rail or into the counter, and keyed alike with other shutters. Satin-anodised aluminium is easy to keep clean in kitchens and food areas.
Counter shutters can be face-fixed in front of the opening or fitted between the reveals. Reception desks and ticket offices use them to secure the counter when staff are away. Fire-rated counter shutters need the same regular testing as larger fire shutters.
Options we can specify
- Slim laths and compact box
- Manual or electric operation
- Aluminium, steel and timber-effect finishes
- Fire-rated versions for compartment walls
- Bottom-rail or counter locks
- Keyed-alike locking options
- Easy-clean finishes for kitchens
- Face or reveal fixing
Typical specification
| Curtain | Slim aluminium, steel or timber-effect laths |
|---|---|
| Operation | Manual with spring balance, or electric |
| Fire option | Fire-rated counter shutters for openings in fire-resisting walls |
| Locking | Bottom-rail or counter locks, keyed alike |
| Use | Bars, serveries, canteens, kiosks, reception desks |
How much do counter & hatch shutters cost?
Counter & hatch shutters typically cost £645 to £3,795 ex VAT (£774 to £4,554 inc VAT) for the common sizes we fit, depending on width, operation, lath type and finish. Larger or specialist jobs are priced after survey.
| Option | Ex VAT | Inc VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Fire-rated counter shutter | £1,795 to £3,795 | £2,154 to £4,554 |
| Bar or servery shutter, 2m to 4m wide | £1,195 to £2,595 | £1,434 to £3,114 |
| Counter or hatch shutter, up to 2m wide | £645 to £1,395 | £774 to £1,674 |
Guide prices assume a straightforward opening. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the survey, before anything is ordered.
Work out your own guide price
Enter the width and height, choose the operation and lath type, and the quote tool draws your shutter to scale with a price range.
Rules that apply
What the law and planning system expect, by nation. We check these at survey.
Safety of powered shutters
Powered doors and shutters are treated as machinery. The installer commissions them with a risk assessment, safety devices where the risk calls for them and force checks to BS EN 12453, then hands over a declaration of conformity and maintenance instructions. In workplaces, the employer or whoever controls the premises must keep doors maintained and safe for staff and visitors.
Fire safety law and fire shutters
England
In England fire shutters form part of a building's fire precautions under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person must keep them maintained in efficient working order and good repair, which in practice means regular drop testing with written records.
Wales
In Wales the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 also applies. Fire shutters are part of the fire precautions, and the responsible person must keep them maintained in efficient working order, with regular drop testing and records.
Scotland
In Scotland the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 require the duty holder to keep fire safety measures, including fire shutters, maintained in efficient working order and good repair.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 require the appropriate person to keep fire precautions, including fire shutters, maintained in efficient working order.
What happens next
Tell us about the opening
Send the postcode, a rough size and a photo if you have one, using the form or a call.
Free survey
We measure, check the structure, power supply and planning position, and talk through options.
Written fixed price
You get a written quote with the product, finish, controls and price before anything is ordered.
Made, fitted and handed over
The shutter is made to measure, fitted, commissioned and handed over with its documents.
Counter & hatch shutters: common questions
Does my kitchen hatch need a fire-rated shutter?
If the hatch is in a fire-resisting wall, the opening must not weaken it, so a fire-rated counter shutter is usually needed. Your fire risk assessment or fire strategy will say.
Can a bar shutter look like wood?
Yes. Timber-effect and powder-coated finishes are available so the shutter suits the bar.
Are counter shutters manual?
Most are manual and spring balanced. Wider counters can be motorised.
Can counter shutters be keyed alike?
Yes, the locks can be keyed alike so one key opens several shutters.
Is the survey free?
Yes, for new shutters, grilles and doors: the survey and written quote are free and there is no obligation to go ahead. Repair and servicing visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we visit.
Are your prices fixed?
Yes. After the survey you get a written price for the agreed specification, confirmed before anything is ordered or any work starts. If you change the specification, or a hidden problem such as a weak lintel is found during fitting, we price it and agree it with you before carrying on.
Related services
Fire shutters
Fire-resisting roller shutters that close automatically on a fire signal to hold back fire.
Security roller shutters
Made-to-measure roller shutters for shops, offices and commercial units.
Fire shutter servicing & drop tests
Drop testing and servicing that keeps fire shutters working as part of your fire precautions.
Manual roller shutters
Push-up and hand-crank shutters with no wiring, for smaller openings and simple sites.
Who uses counter & hatch shutters
Related guides
Counter & hatch shutters near you
Choose your county or area for local details and towns we cover.
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- County Durham
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Scotland
Ready for a fixed price?
Free survey, made-to-measure shutters and a written quote before any work starts.