Dock shelters and seals in Atherton

In short

For chilled and frozen operations in Atherton (M46), an inflatable dock shelter gives a tight seal around the trailer, helping hold temperature during loading and reducing condensation at the dock.

Town: Atherton
Postcode district: M46
Area: Greater Manchester
Survey: Free for new installations

What we fit in Atherton

Replacement curtains. Damaged curtains can be swapped without replacing the whole shelter.
Weather protection. Goods and staff stay out of the weather while the trailer is being worked.
Retractable frames. Spring-loaded scissor arms fold back on impact and return afterwards.
Temperature control. Less heated or chilled air escapes around the trailer while the door is up.
Guidance aids. Guide stripes, wheel guides and lights help drivers park centrally.

What this work can involve

Installing inflatable dock shelters at a chilled goods-in to help hold temperature while trailers are unloaded.
Adding rain gutters and guide lights to dock shelters so water stays out of trailers during loading.
Fitting retractable dock shelters across a run of bays that serve a mixed fleet of vans and trailers.

What the law expects at a loading bay

Across Great Britain, including Atherton, loading bays bring together several duties: maintained work equipment under PUWER 1998, safe traffic routes under the Workplace Regulations 1992, and safe powered doors under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. Dock levellers should meet BS EN 1398, and the site's risk assessment should cover vehicle creep and drive-aways.

Keeping your site running during the work

Before work starts we send a method statement and risk assessment, confirm who on site will be our contact and agree where materials and access equipment will go. On shared industrial estates that can mean booking yard space with the landlord.

Guide prices

Dock shelters and seals guide prices
Item	Guide price (ex VAT)
Dock shelter (retractable)	£2,195 – £5,495
Inflatable dock shelter	£6,495 – £11,995

Guide prices for supply and installation unless stated, excluding VAT, which is added at the current rate where it applies. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after a survey, before any work starts.

Dock shelters and seals in Atherton: your questions

Which dock shelter suits our Atherton warehouse?

Retractable shelters suit most mixed fleets. Inflatable shelters give a tighter seal for chilled, frozen or sensitive goods. Foam seals suit uniform fleets. We recommend one after recording your vehicles and dock on survey.

Do you fit dock shelters for cold stores around Greater Manchester?

Yes. We fit inflatable and retractable shelters at cold stores and chilled sites across Greater Manchester, often alongside insulated doors and levellers, to help hold temperature and limit condensation at the dock while trailers are worked.

Can a dock shelter in Atherton be fitted with our existing leveller?

Usually, yes. The shelter fits around the dock door and works with most existing levellers, provided the bumpers stop the trailer at the right distance from the wall. We check the bumpers and leveller lip on survey.

Dock shelters and seals near Atherton

Besides Atherton, we can survey and quote for sites in Tyldesley, Westhoughton, Leigh and the rest of Greater Manchester.

Other services in Atherton

More about Dock shelters and seals · industrial doors in Atherton. Last updated 19 October 2026.