Fitting out a kitchen for a new cafe or small restaurant is a long list of decisions, and it is easy to buy things in the wrong order. The refrigeration has to fit the space, the cooking line has to suit the menu, and the team needs uniforms, knives and cleaning supplies from day one.
This checklist follows the main departments of Nisbets, a UK catering equipment supplier. The facts about the range and services come from an archived copy of the Nisbets homepage dated 22 May 2025, so they are the brand’s own claims and may have changed. You can see the current range on the Nisbets website.
Explore the Nisbets Catering Range
In this guide
Step 1: Start With Refrigeration
Cold storage is the part of the kitchen you cannot work around, so it comes first. The Nisbets refrigeration and ice machines department lists fridges, freezers, fridge freezers, display refrigeration, ice makers, blast chillers, cold rooms and medical refrigeration. The brand’s Polar range appears prominently on its homepage.
Nisbets says it offers unpacking and positioning services for Polar items such as fridges and freezers at no additional cost, and that most lines can be delivered next day. For a new kitchen, that kind of service can save a morning of heavy lifting. Before you order, measure doorways, check the floor space and decide whether you need an upright cabinet for back-of-house, a counter unit under a prep surface or a glass-door display for drinks.
Step 2: Choose the Cooking Line and Warewashing
The next question is what your menu actually needs. A cafe with toasties and soup has different needs from a restaurant with a grill and a fryer. The appliances and warewashing department lists cooking equipment, food prep machines, servery and display machines, drinks machines, blenders, dishwashers and glasswashers, plus spares and accessories. The brand mentions Buffalo as a source of innovative appliances.
A useful rule is to list every dish on the opening menu and mark which appliance makes it. If three dishes need a piece of equipment that costs a lot, you may be able to simplify the menu instead. Do not forget the washing-up: the brand lists dishwashers and glasswashers alongside the cooking line, and a machine that is too small will slow service on a busy day.
Step 3: Equip the Prep Area
The kitchenware and chef knives department covers professional kitchen knives, cookware, utensils and equipment, food storage and transportation, gastronorm trays, pastry and baking supplies, stainless steel tables, sinks and wash basins, catering trolleys and storage shelving. It also lists food preparation safety and kitchen signs.
- Buy knives that suit the team, not just the menu: weight and grip matter over a long shift.
- Choose gastronorm trays in sizes that match your fridge shelves and your ovens.
- Check that the stainless steel tables and sinks fit your layout before you order.
- Plan separate storage for raw and ready-to-eat food.
Step 4: Dress the Team
The clothing, aprons and footwear department lists chef jackets and tunics, chef trousers, aprons, footwear, staff uniforms, shirts and polo shirts, outerwear and PPE, and headwear. It is easy to treat uniforms as an afterthought, but a clean, consistent look helps the team feel part of one kitchen. Slip-resistant footwear is worth special attention in a wet kitchen, so check the product pages for the specifications.
Step 5: Furnish the Front of House
The furniture department includes chairs, tables, barrier systems, garden and outdoor furniture, folding furniture, bar stools, conference furniture, light fittings, high chairs and baby changing, canteen furniture and kitchen furniture. The tableware and bar department adds crockery, glassware, cutlery, service trays, buffet display, menus, table linen and cash handling items.
Think about how guests will use the space. A small cafe with a short lunchtime peak may want smaller tables that can be pushed together, while a restaurant with a bar might need stools and a counter. If you plan to use a pavement or garden, the brand’s outdoor furniture is listed separately.
Step 6: Stock Cleaning and Consumables
Every kitchen runs out of paper rolls, gloves and cleaning chemicals sooner than expected. The cleaning, hygiene and facilities department lists cleaning chemicals, cleaning equipment, washroom products, recycling and waste management, pest control, safety, security and first aid, laundry, heating and cooling, air purifiers and electrical supplies. The consumables department covers catering disposables, food labelling and wrapping, paper hygiene and eco-friendly disposables, with the Fiesta name mentioned by the brand for eco-friendly supplies.
Quick Reference Table
| Area | What the brand lists | Plan before you buy |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration | Fridges, freezers, display units, ice makers, blast chillers | Door widths, floor space, airflow |
| Appliances | Cooking equipment, glasswashers, drinks machines, blenders | Menu, power supply, extraction |
| Kitchenware | Knives, cookware, gastronorm trays, stainless steel tables | Layout, storage, safety |
| Clothing | Jackets, aprons, trousers, footwear | Team sizes, laundry plan |
| Furniture | Chairs, tables, outdoor furniture, stools | Seat count, space, cleaning |
| Hygiene | Chemicals, paper hygiene, pest control, first aid | Weekly use, storage, waste |
Delivery, Returns and Support
The archived homepage also mentions several services that matter for a new business. Nisbets says it offers free next day delivery on orders placed by 6pm, subject to terms, a 30 day money back guarantee, a price match promise, nationwide stores with click and collect for trade and public customers, a rewards scheme, chef leasing, 0% finance and gift vouchers. Product recalls, spare parts, repairs and warranty pages are also listed in the footer. Check each offer and its terms on the current site.
For a new opening, the most useful habit is to build the order in stages. Buy refrigeration and cooking equipment first, since these have the longest lead times. Add kitchenware, uniforms and furniture once the layout is final, and place the first consumables order a week before opening.
If you are ready to compare products, you can start on the Nisbets catering equipment site, browse the refrigeration range or look at the full list of brands and services.
Shop Catering Equipment at Nisbets
Information was taken from an archived copy of the Nisbets UK website dated 22 May 2025. Ranges, prices, services and offers change, and statements about products and services are made by the brand. Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
