Quick answer
Wind and rain blowing through the loading bay at your Lancashire site every time a trailer backs on? A retractable or inflatable dock shelter seals the opening around the vehicle and keeps the weather outside where it belongs.
- Area
- Lancashire
- Nation
- England
- Main town
- Preston
- Survey
- Free for new installations
What to specify
- Weather protection. Goods and staff stay out of the weather while the trailer is being worked.
- Foam seals. Foam pads that the trailer squeezes into, ideal where every vehicle is much the same.
- Replacement curtains. Damaged curtains can be swapped without replacing the whole shelter.
- Inflatable seals. Once the vehicle is in place, inflated bags press against its sides and roof.
- Retractable frames. Spring-loaded scissor arms fold back on impact and return afterwards.
Typical scopes of work
- Fitting retractable dock shelters across a run of bays that serve a mixed fleet of vans and trailers.
- Specifying deeper top curtains for bays that receive double-deck trailers alongside standard trailers.
- Replacing worn dock bumpers before fitting new shelters so trailers stop at the correct distance from the wall.
What the law expects at a loading bay
Across Great Britain, including Lancashire, 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
Where a door is being replaced, the opening has to be made secure at the end of each day. We plan strip-out, any new framing and the new door so the gap is never left open overnight unless you have agreed temporary measures.
Prices for dock shelters and seals in Lancashire
| 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.
Questions from businesses in Lancashire
Which dock shelter suits our Lancashire 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 repair dock shelters in Lancashire?
Yes. We straighten or replace bent frames and arms, replace curtains, repair inflatable shelter blowers and bags, and renew bumpers. Repair visits are chargeable, and we quote before ordering any made-to-measure parts.
How long does dock shelter installation take in Lancashire?
Typically half a day to a day per shelter, depending on size and fixings. We schedule work bay by bay so loading can continue at the others while each shelter is fitted.
Towns in Lancashire we cover
We cover 18 towns in Lancashire for dock shelters and seals, including Preston, Burnley, Blackburn, Blackpool.
- Preston
- Burnley
- Blackburn
- Blackpool
- Morecambe
- Lancaster
- Lytham St Annes
- Skelmersdale
- Leyland
- Accrington
- Chorley
- Darwen
- Thornton-Cleveleys
- Nelson
- Fleetwood
- Ormskirk
- Rawtenstall
- Colne
Other services in Lancashire
- Industrial door replacement
- Hangar and large-span doors
- Sliding and folding industrial doors
- Sectional overhead doors
- Industrial door motor replacement
- Industrial roller shutters
- Industrial door installation
- Cold store and freezer doors
More about Dock shelters and seals. Last updated 19 October 2026.