Red Cedar Cladded Shipping Container Catering Pod for Surrey School
Converted and cladded shipping containers are becoming increasingly popular, whether just for storage or conversion for other uses. Converting shipping containers can often be a more cost-effective option versus brick and mortar builds.
Cladding a container can help to make a unit stand out or even blend in depending on its surroundings and also offers a very smart finish.
Cladded catering units have proven very popular with schools. Catering pods are a good addition for schools as it can take strain and queues away from the main canteen area.
In early 2025 we supplied a school in Surrey with their own custom built shipping container catering pod cladded in beautiful red cedar. The pod, now on site, is used as a tuck shop serving students. This unit was made to order in our Liverpool conversion yard.
Converted Shipping Container Catering Pod
For this unit, we took a one trip shipping container and added a roller shutter for serving, along with a partial internal fit out. Our contact at the school came to us with an idea, and together with the yard we were able to refine the design and come up with a smart looking and functional unit for the school.
One Trip Shipping Containers for Conversion Projects
One trip shipping containers are a great option for conversion projects. These units are only around 6 months old and offer a longer life span with minimal need for maintenance. While they may cost more than a used shipping container, when you add additional costs of a conversion project you get a much better quality and longer lasting structure, for a minimal additional cost to the total project price.
Having been only used only once to bring cargo from China to the UK they are also in a great cosmetic condition. This does make them ideal for conversion projects where they will be in the public eye as they start off with a smart exterior.
We can also convert refurbished shipping containers for customers on a budget.
Red Cedar Cladding on Shipping Containers
While we have completed many conversion projects over the years, this red cedar cladding was a first for us! We’ve done many cladding jobs, for storage containers and modified units, it has been a standard timber option.
For this project the school wanted a more high end cladding, and chose this gorgeous red cedar.
We can offer a range of high-end cladding. Another popular option we have used in the past is composite cladding.
Roller Shutter Serving Hatch on a Shipping Container
We offer lots of options for serving hatches. A manual roller shutter is a very popular choice. These roller shutters are very secure and easy to operate while offering a high end look.
For the school, they had chosen to have the shipping container repaint in RAL7016 (anthracite grey). The roller shutter they chose was also powder coated to match to offer a seamless finish.
To make the serving hatch even more functional, a small steel ledge was added externally as well as a circa 17″ overhang. The overhang allowed a small amount of overhead coverage for students so they could be protected from the weather. This overhang was fitted in depot, so had to be kept within dimensions so that it could still be transported without being too wide.
Internal Fit Out
In our conversion yard we fit out the inside of the unit ready for the school to install their commercial elements (fridges/tills etc).
Melamine was used to line the unit internally. This is the recommended option for catering units as it can be wiped clean, ideal for areas where food or drinks can be prepared. For this unit, we lined over the cargo doors which gives a seamless finish inside. The cargo doors can also be left operational, which can be handy for the initial install of commercial goods.
A Polysafe floor was also added over the standard ply wood floor. Polysafe flooring is durable and slip resistant so is commonly used in high-traffic areas which are prone to spills.
We also fitted a stainless steel work top along under the serving hatch. Being stainless steel it is easy to clean up after use.
Other Shipping Container Conversion Options
Shipping containers containers can be converted for a variety of different uses. At Budget Shipping Containers, we offer a wide range of conversion options.
Our conversion options give you the ability to custom build a unit and give you a lot of choice. Some customers prefer us to do as much of the conversion as possible. This way the unit can be used straight away. Other customers opt to have us complete only some of the work, so they can complete the rest on site themselves.
While we have some standard / popular options, almost anything can be done so please get in touch with any conversion projects.
Contact Us
Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.
If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).