Sapcote Bistro Set in Brown Rattan

Will this fit a balcony or a small patio?

Yes, usually. The round-table layout sits in roughly a 1.5 metre square once the chairs are pulled out, with clearance behind each seat for walking past. Mark the area on your slabs with masking tape before you order, then walk the route you'd take past it on your way to the back door, the bins, or the garden gate.

A round table is the right shape for a tight outdoor space because there are no sharp corners to catch a hip on when you carry mugs past. That matters on a balcony or in a courtyard where the route past the seating is also the route in and out.

Is it really all-weather, no cover needed?

Yes. The frame is aluminium, which cannot rust, and we use a 0.2mm powder coating, two to three times thicker than what most aluminium garden furniture carries, so the coating doesn't break down through wet winters and freezing nights. We also use UV-stabilised synthetic rattan, which won't fade, rot, or go brittle when left outside year-round. The 5mm tempered safety glass top doesn't crack in British winters the way ordinary glass can.

This means you can leave the structure outside through the whole year, so you're not wrestling a cover on and off every time it rains, and you save the £50 to £100 a cover would cost. In our experience, customers come back ten or fifteen years later saying their rattan is just as good as when they first bought it.

Will the brown rattan fade in the sun?

Hardly at all, because the weave is treated against UV. Cheaper PVC weave on the budget end of the bistro category dries out, turns chalky, and starts cracking at the weave joints within a couple of summers. UV-stabilised synthetic rattan doesn't fade through sustained sun.

Brown is a warm tone against red brick, sandstone paving, and timber decking, which is why customers choose it over the grey default when their garden leans traditional rather than contemporary.

How does this compare to other bistro sets at this price?

Cheaper two-seater bistro sets at the budget end of the market use steel frames that rust at the joints and bolt holes within a couple of wet winters, paired with PVC weave that goes brittle in the sun. You'd be back shopping for a replacement set inside three years, and there'll be orange streaks across your paving in the meantime.

Considering a brand-name bistro set at £1,000 or more? You'd be paying mainly for the marketing and the polished website. The actual furniture is almost exactly the same as ours: aluminium frame, UV-stabilised rattan, 5mm tempered safety glass. We design our own Sapcote range and sell it direct from our family-run Leicestershire showroom since 2001, without the excessive markup of big name brands.

Do the cushions stay outside in the rain?

No. We advise storing them when you're not using the set. What we've found is that waterproof cushions often feel clammy and trap heat, and coatings can crack after a couple of summers in UV. It's better to keep cushions comfortable and simply store them away.

Why does this bistro set cost more than supermarket versions?

The materials. Most cheaper bistro sets use powder-coated steel, and we've seen customers come to us after two or three seasons with rust coming through at the joints. This set uses an aluminium frame that cannot rust, plus a 5mm tempered safety glass table top. Over time, that's usually the difference between keeping a set and replacing it.

Can I leave the Sapcote bistro set outside all year round?

The frame and rattan can stay outside through every season - the aluminium cannot rust and the rattan is UV-stabilised, so there's no need for a cover or seasonal pack-away. We advise storing the cushions away when not in use to keep them in good condition.

Do you have a showroom where I can see it before I buy?

Our showroom at Sapcote Garden Centre in Leicestershire is open 7 days a week - you're welcome to sit on the furniture before you decide. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff can talk you through what makes one bistro set last longer than another.

Does the dark brown rattan fade in the sun?

Very unlikely. The rattan is UV-stabilised, meaning it's made to resist the fading and brittleness you often see on lower-grade weaves after a couple of summers. In our experience, UV stabilisation is the detail that keeps dark colours looking consistent for longer.

What's included with the Sapcote Bistro Set in Brown Rattan?

Everything you need for two people: two chairs, one round bistro table with a 5mm tempered safety glass top, and cushions included. Delivery included as standard.

What if something goes wrong after purchase?

We'll help. Unlike online-only retailers that disappear when there's a problem, we've been here since 2001 and we're set up for proper after-sale support. You're also covered by our 3-Year Guarantee. If you need us, call us on 01455 274748 and we'll talk it through with you.

How much assembly is required?

Only the table. The chairs arrive fully assembled. The table base is four panels that screw together with two screws per side, then four screws attach the tabletop. All screws are included, and a screwdriver is the only tool you should need.

Is the table glass safe?

The table uses 5mm tempered safety glass, which handles temperature swings better than standard glass. It's a more reassuring thickness for day-to-day use than the thinner glass you sometimes see on smaller bistro sets.

Delivery is included in the price, 3-7 working days to mainland UK. Your furniture is delivered on pallets via our courier, and we'll email you a timed delivery window so you're not waiting around all day.

Worth knowing: our courier delivers to the kerbside or driveway, they won't take items around the back of the house, and the pallet and boxes are left with you. If you'd prefer a white-glove delivery with set-up and rubbish taken away, get in touch and we can usually help.

We dispatch from our Leicestershire garden centre. "In stock" means we have it here, ready to send, not drop-shipped from a third-party warehouse.

Returns: if you're not happy, let us know within 7 days and you can return it within 30 days for a refund (minus return delivery costs). The furniture must be in its original condition and packaging, and we'll arrange the collection with you.