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Containers Direct logoQuality you can see, experience you can trust.
Quality you can see, experience you can trust.

Shutters and Hatches in Shipping Containers

Why would you add shutters and hatches in shipping containers?

Following the recent trend of repurposing shipping containers and turning them into pop up catering units, we began to develop new ideas and designs for the best ways to create a serving hatch and shutters for our clients. A pop up unit, especially one where food and drink is purchased, requires an opening for serving. These are our three most popular options, although we will always work to a bespoke design if you have other ideas!

Types of shutters and hatches for containers

Option 1 - Flat Panel Shutters

These shutter style hatches open outwards and rest flat against the container. When open they make great menu boards! Built out of 3mm thick steel, they offer both security and durability. The shutters are locked on the inside with shoot bolts when the hatches are closed.

Option 2 - The Lifting Hatch

This is a steel hatch that opens upwards on gas struts. They work both as a serving hatch and as a canopy to give some protection to your workers, customers and food if the British weather doesn't hold up! Lockable inside with shoot bolts when the hatches are closed, they provide excellent security once you close up shop for the day.

Option 3 - Roller Shutter Hatch

Roller shutter doors are a popular option in replacement to an ordinary container door, and they also make great shutters for the pop up shop world. Made out of steel and lockable from the inside, these shutters come in either manual or electric (fob operated or key operated). The shutter box can be housed either internally or externally depending on where you need the most space. We can also add serving rails or a drop down serving counter with all of our shutter options giving an authentic feel to any counter.

Flat Pack Pop-up Container

The ExpandaKiosk is a complete self-assembly unit featuring a large upward tilting hatch, making it ideal for use for catering or retail businesses.

Request a Quick Quote!

Contact our sales team for your no-obligation quote, including delivery!

Completing your pop up catering unit

We can either do just the external work to the container, or we can do the internal fit out depending on budget and requirements. We offer a wide range of options to help fit out your new catering unit:

  • Personnel door: an essential for any shop so your employees can easily get in and out.

  • Melamine lining and insulation: our wipe clean melamine option is the preferred choice for caterers for an easy to clean lining. We also offer stainless steel lining if needed, and can install fire resistant boards. Call us to discuss your requirements!

  • Non-slip vinyl flooring: as standard, shipping containers come with a marine ply floor. A non-slip vinyl floor is easy to clean and helps to prevent any accidents from water or oil spillage.

  • Electrics: we are able to fit basic electrics or bespoke depending on your needs.

  • Counters and sinks: offering a "black slate" counter top and stainless steel sinks, you'll just need to plug into the mains on site to get going.

Case studies with shutters and hatches

We have been working on perfecting our shutters and hatches for a while. Take a look at our Case Studies below and give us a call to discuss your ideas.

Need Something Bigger?

As well as repurposing a used or one-trip shipping container, we can also build from scratch. Some of our customers find the standard 8ft width of the usual shipping container too narrow to fit all of their equipment in, and so we are able create new build containers, most commonly to 10ft wide, to give our customers more choices of what they can fit inside. Our Hangar Bar conversion project was a new build container, 40ft x 10ft wide, with two larger hatches to serve drinks from, proudly situated at Manchester Airport.

Testimonials

As a long established and reputable shipping container company, we want to instil confidence in our customers that we can deliver on our promises, and provide high quality products and service.

But don't just take our word for it, see for yourself what our past and present clients have to say about Containers Direct.
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"From start to finish the experience in purchasing this container has been smooth and seamless. The quality of the container is superb. The delivery was fast and was lifted into place with ease. When we look to buy more in the future, you will be the only place we will go." HTAA
24th July 2026
order - a Refurbished 32ft x 10ft Office Cabin from our Clearance Page
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"An excellent service and delivery driver could not have been more accommodating." Roberta Rutherford
24th July 2026
order - a Used 15th Container
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"My experience was flawless, from the moment I made my first enquiry up to the moment the container was delivered, communication was excellent. Customer service is second to none. The container itself is exactly as described and if I am being honest, better than I expected with it being a used container. An excellent overall experience." John Clough - Arriva UK bus
23rd July 2026
order - a Used 15th Container
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"Fantastic communication and great service from everyone involved in the process, from the initial enquiries to the delivery! Thank you!" Lostock Hall Juniors Football Club
16th July 2026
order - a 'Once-Used' 10ft Container
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"We are delighted with our container, which will be used as an office and extra space. We asked for an OSB interior which adds a contemporary feel. The quality of work is really great, I like how fine details have been considered. The team overall were very helpful, from my initial query (and loads of questions) to the delivery. Thank you Containers Direct." Barry O'Neill
13th July 2026
order - a Used 10ft ModiBox Office
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"Great, prompt service and communication." Stuart Duncan
7th July 2026
order - a 4m Insulated Flat Pack Store in Green
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Committed to Quality

We are ISOQAR Approved and certified to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems, demonstrating our commitment to excellence. We are also members of MakeUK, who champion British manufacturing, and the Container Self Storage and Traders Association (CSTA), representing global operators and innovators. In addition, we are registered members of JOSCAR, the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register.

ISOQAR Approved – ISO 9001:2015 Certificate No. 13586-QMS-001
MakeUK Member – Supporting British Manufacturing
Container Self Storage and Traders Association Member
JOSCAR Registered Member
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Containers Direct provide three options for our customers to have shutters or hatches with their containers, which can be perfect for pop up catering units.