Sutherlands is best-known as a manufacturer of colourful and tasty cakes, which it sells from its factory in Dumbarton and to retail outlets throughout Scotland.

The company has recently expanded by opening a new coffee shop/restaurant in the busy Clydebank shopping centre, near Glasgow. As an important part of the design, it selected the Continental Coffee Shop system from Glasgow-based Quality Equipment Distributors (QED)

The system comprises chilled and ambient serve-over counters combined with modular bar units, back bar storage and mirrored shelving. The Decoration J design selected by Sutherlands is finished in stainless steel cladding with marble worktops and trims.

QED also supplied a stainless steel multi-deck display case and a glass-topped ice cream cabinet to complete the scheme.

John Coates, the manager of the new Sutherlands outlet, says that the company chose the Continental Coffee Shop system for its practicality and visual appeal, knowing that it would encourage walk-in trade from people buying drinks and snacks ‘to go’ as well as restaurant customers. He reports brisk business since the restaurant opened in summer 2011 and says the system is easy to use and maintain.

Sutherlands plans to take its concept of fancy cakes, freshly-prepared hot food and friendly service to a much wider audience by opening more outlets across Scotland in the future.

QED designs and produces a large selection of coffee shop systems and distributes retail and catering refrigeration appliances using a national network of engineers and shopfitters.