An innovative outdoor dining hub has been developed by a company based near Grantham.

The Dining Hub from Bennington Carriages will support restaurants and pubs affected by the Coronavirus pandemic when they reopen after the latest lockdown.

The company, which has a Royal Warrant for its carriages, has called on the design skills of its sister company Bennington Metal Furniture to create an eating and drinking 'pod' as a direct response to the Government's Covod-19 social distancing rules.

The result from its in-house craftsmen is a contemporary, safe and low-cost dining experience with the hallmark of the skills that earned Bennington Carriages its coveted warrant over 40 years ago.

The dining hubs will allow four or six people to eat and drink in their own 'bubble', with the aim of helping restaurants and pubs generate income, and they can be delivered anywhere in the country.

Managing Director Sue Mart said: "Pubs and restaurants have had an extremely difficult time as they try to trade through the pandemic. We want to be there for them as a bit of light at the end of the tunnel."

The Dining Hub was conceived after a conversation between Sue's father Michael Mart, who founded Bennington, and a local pub owner who was keen to give his customers the opportunity to socialise safely undercover outdoors.

Sue explained: "Michael made some early sketches, inspired by the aluminium hub used by Bennington Carriages, which soon developed into a prototype which we are now busy manufacturing.

"With the usual 'all hands to the pump' Bennington approach, aided by the fact that fabrication, paint and assembly are still performed in-house, the prototype became a final product within four weeks. The very best of British engineering!"

Sue continued: "We have a reputation for innovation and wanted to create something that offered a new experience but that also met with Government guidance.

"The hub will give people the chance of remaining in their own social bubble but at the same time it is exciting and a bit different. Dining outside also has a casual, festive feel which we believe will be perfect for this time of year."

Key features of the dining hub include:

â—Wide range of colours and finish options including branding, side curtains and heating

â—Four and six seat options

Wendy added: "It just shows that innovation can be achieved during unprecedent times and we have grasped the opportunity to come out of lockdown with this brand new product."