Elevating Your Company & Brand With Bespoke Scaffolding & Gantry

Scaffolding isn’t just about access and safety anymore: for many modern companies, it’s a unique canvas that can be transformed into a high-impact marketing opportunity. With bespoke scaffolding, businesses can combine essential site infrastructure with powerful brand presence - making every construction or refurbishment project an extension of their identity instead of masking their storefront. 

Listening to business owners, we consistently hear the same story: traditional scaffolding and gantry can be perceived as distracting, “an eyesore,” and cover up recognisable branding that passersby may be looking for - ultimately resulting in lost revenue as potential customers are either unable to find a store easily, think that it’s closed, or cannot see the window displays. There are also the issues around accessibility: the tight width of traditional pavement scaffolding restricts available space for people to move around freely, especially for those pushing prams, or for wheelchair users. 

This is where Urban Umbrella™ come in! Our company was founded and Headquartered in New York City - known not just for the beauty of its skyline but also the bustle of residents, events, tourists, and everything in between! As such (and something many people may not know), NYC is also known world-over for the strictness of its scaffolding requirements - ensuring the comfort and safety of its busy streets. 

Whether you’re aiming to impress clients, attract new business, or simply stand out on a busy street, custom scaffolding offers a practical and visually striking solution. Our portfolio showcases some of our latest projects and highlights some of our largest - from multi-tier scaffolding over an arching entrance, to heated scaffolding in winter, brightly lit scaffolding to ensure worker safety and visibility for pedestrians, and more. Download our brochure for examples and scaffolding types.

How bespoke scaffolding and gantry can turn your workplace into a marketing tool

Your store entrance is often the most visible part of your business, so when renovations are ongoing, your most public billboard is suddenly concealed behind a worksite. With bespoke scaffolding, instead of hiding your brand, you can place it front and centre! 

We offer the following enhancements for our scaffolding options:

• Main parapet signage: available in printed, 3D, 3D illuminated, steel banner, or handing

• Secondary hanging and banner signage

• Custom colours (speak to our team for full colour options)

• LED lighting: available in the shape of circles, half-circles, stars, diamonds, arrows, or waves

• Fans and heaters (as required) 

• Adjustable legs and feet: ranging from 8’ (2.43m) to 20’ (6.09m) in height 

• Three decking options: available in glossy opaque, translucent, or white fluted

Depending on the nature of the project, we’ll also be able to advise on optimal load capacity and widths required, in line with your height requirements and local regulations. 

Our bespoke scaffolding options have been extremely popular in the United States, and we’re now bringing this solution to the UK, starting with London as our first UK location. 

See some of our most exciting examples below:

Our Urban Umbrellas have also been used directly as temporary campaigns, such as for the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre in Manhattan, New York, to highlight the release beyond the entrance of the theatre. 

Why more businesses are choosing bespoke scaffolding and gantry 

While we work with many retailers, hospitality businesses, and event spaces, Urban Umbrella is suitable for any sector and any style of building. The flexibility and versatility of our product offering provide the dual benefit of functionality and visual brand exposure which is what makes it so appealing to businesses across the world’s highstreets. 

Some of the key benefits our clients have seen include:

• Enhanced public perception: Our clean, consistent scaffold designs appear welcoming and build brand awareness and trust through a more polished appearance (that even looks great on social media!)

• Extended brand visibility: Especially for long-term projects, your site can be seen by thousands of passersby daily, especially in high-footfall areas around central London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and more.

• Project-specific design: Our bespoke scaffolding can be adapted to match your current campaigns, recognisable branding, and even the architectural character of the building or area. This in turn helps create additional customer awareness touchpoints instead of covering up your branding for prolonged periods of time.

• Competitive edge: Branded structures help distinguish your business from competitors on the same street and leave a lasting impression that generates conversations online and offline. 

Frequently asked questions:

Have additional questions about Urban Umbrella? Contact our teams.

Do you need a licence to erect scaffolding and gantry?

In short, yes: a licence is required to put up scaffolding around any residential or commercial building, including the pavement surrounding the main building. You additionally need to ensure that a reliable, trained scaffolding contractor is putting up the scaffolding, and it is their responsibility to acquire the required licence. As a business owner, you only need to check and verify that the licence is in place for the duration of the works. See more on the Government website. You can check all of our credentials and permits by contacting our team: sales@urbanumbrella.com. 

What are types of speciality scaffolding?

We offer speciality scaffolding systems that are fully customisable to meet brands’ aesthetic, structural, and branding needs. Some of our most popular speciality enhancements include:

• Main parapet signage in printed, 3D, illuminated, steel banner, or hanging formats.

• Secondary signage options such as hanging banners.

• LED lighting in distinctive shapes, including circles, half-circles, diamonds, arrows, stars, or waves.

• Adjustable legs and feet from 8’ (2.43m) to 20’ (6.09m), accommodating uneven pavements or height-specific needs.

• Three decking finishes: glossy opaque, translucent, or white fluted.

• Fans and heaters for climate control when required.

• Custom colours to match your brand identity or building design - speak to our team about the full palette.

We can also cater to additional upgrades on request, and our bespoke options are ideal for construction projects in high-traffic areas where visual appeal and brand presence matter just as much as function! 

What is the latest technology for scaffolding?

At Urban Umbrella, we are pioneers in the latest scaffolding technology - ensuring strict safety standards are upheld whilst simultaneously creating beautiful urban walkways with each installation. We combine traditional engineering with innovative design and presentation: from 3D illuminated signage to energy-efficient LED lighting systems, our structures are built to be both practical and eye-catching. 

Our approach includes modular components and adjustable footings that allow for rapid installation at custom heights, while our premium decking options ensure a sleek, professional finish with suitable grip at all temperatures and in varying weather conditions. Sustainability and safety also remain central to our processes, with materials chosen for durability, reusability, and minimal site impact.

What are alternatives to scaffolding and gantry?

Urban Umbrella™ is the sole designer, patent holder, supplier, and fabricator of the only city-approved alternative to traditional scaffolding. From Belgravia boutiques to City skyscrapers, we deliver premium scaffolding options for enhanced safety, brand consistency, and a welcoming feel. See our brochure for a full specification of our scaffolding alternatives and add-ons. 

Choose Urban Umbrella™ for an alternative, luxury scaffolding solution 

Contact our team in London to discover more about luxury scaffolding options in the UK. Whether you're protecting a landmark building or launching a flagship store, our luxury scaffolding turns necessity into opportunity. Use Urban Umbrella™ to maintain your brand visibility during renovation or even as part of your campaigns.