Sapcote Bistro Set in Grey Rattan

Will it fit a balcony or small courtyard?

Yes, usually. Plan for a 1.5-metre-square area with both chairs pulled out, plus walkway clearance behind the chairs so you can stand up and step away. Tape it out on the slabs first if your space is tight. That's usually enough to confirm the fit before you order.

A round table is the right shape here. With no sharp corners poking into a walkway, you can carry mugs or plates past without catching a hip on the edge, which matters on a balcony where the route past the seating is the route in and out through the door.

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 the structure is fully weatherproof and doesn't need a cover or storage, so it saves you the hassle and 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.

Does the grey rattan suit modern paving?

Yes, with most modern hard-landscaping. Grey is a neutral tone against porcelain paving, slate, polished concrete, and pale render, so it doesn't fight with the rest of the garden the way a stronger colour might. If you want a quick check, hold the product photo up against a slab or a decking sample where the set will go and see whether the tones agree.

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

Cheaper bistro sets at this size use steel frames that rust within a couple of winters and PVC rattan 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 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 not in use. In our experience, cushions last far longer when kept out of damp and cold. We avoid waterproof coatings because they feel clammy and the surface cracks after a couple of summers in UV.

Is the glass top safe for outdoor use?

Tempered safety glass handles temperature swings and knocks better than standard glass - and at 5mm, this is a solid, stable top. If it ever does break, it crumbles into small pieces rather than sharp shards, which is what you want in a garden setting.

Why does this bistro set cost more than the cheaper ones online?

The frame material. Most cheaper bistro sets use steel, and steel rusts from the inside out through joints and bolt holes. This set uses an aluminium frame that cannot rust, so you're not replacing it after two wet winters. You're paying for the part you can't easily fix later.

Can I leave the Sapcote Bistro Set outside all year round?

The frame and rattan can stay outside all year round with no cover needed. Aluminium cannot rust and the UV-stabilised rattan will not fade or go brittle, so the hard furniture handles rain, frost and direct sun without any protection. We advise storing the cushions when you're not using them to keep them fresh.

Is the rattan HDPE or PVC?

HDPE. We use HDPE rattan because it's UV-stabilised, non-toxic and recyclable. PVC rattan cracks and goes brittle after a couple of summers in direct sun - that's one of the most common problems we hear from customers replacing a cheaper set.

Is there a showroom where I can see the Sapcote range?

Our Leicestershire showroom at Sapcote Garden Centre has the Sapcote range on display, so you can sit in it before you buy. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff are in 7 days a week if you need advice on sizing for your balcony, patio or courtyard.

What support do you offer if there’s an issue after delivery?

Call us on 01455 274748, 7 days a week. We're a family-run business, here since 2001 - you're not dealing with a faceless call centre. Our customers tell us that matters most when they need a spare part or straightforward help a year or two down the line.

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.

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.