Every bar and restaurant runs on the small things working properly. Spills at the bar top, greasy hands in the kitchen, wet surfaces at the wash-up station: none of it stops for a busy service. A reliable centrefeed paper system is one of the simplest ways to keep your team moving and your venue looking clean.
This guide covers how to choose centrefeed rolls for bars and restaurants, where to position dispensers, and which products from the Lothian Supply Company centrefeed collection suit each part of your site.
What Is Centrefeed Paper and Why Do Hospitality Venues Use It?
Centrefeed rolls are wound so that paper is pulled from the centre of the roll through a dispenser. Because the roll is enclosed, it stays cleaner and drier than a loose roll sitting on a shelf or worktop, and staff take one sheet at a time rather than unwinding a handful.
For trade venues, that brings three practical benefits:
- Hygiene: the roll stays protected from splashes, dust and handling.
- Control: single-sheet dispensing helps reduce unnecessary paper use.
- Speed: staff can grab a sheet quickly with one hand, even mid-service.
Centrefeed for Bars: Keeping the Counter and Back Bar Under Control
Bars are fast, wet environments. Spilt drinks, condensation from glassware and sticky mixer residue all need dealing with in seconds, not minutes.
Where to position dispensers behind the bar
- Near the glass wash or glasswasher: for drying hands and wiping down trays.
- At the main service well: for quick spill control without leaving the bar.
- In the cellar: for line connections, keg changes and general tidying.
- At the end of the bar or pass: so bar staff and floor staff both have access.
Portable dispensing for events and pop-ups
If you run outdoor bars, festival units or event bars, a portable system makes sense. The Tork Reflex Portable Centrefeed Dispenser is designed for hygienic dispensing on the go. Its single-sheet dispensing is described as able to reduce paper consumption by up to 37%, and its fully enclosed design protects the roll.
Rolls for the bar
For everyday bar use, a 2-ply roll gives better strength and absorbency for wiping surfaces. The White Roll 150m 2ply 6 Pack (Centrefeed) features an embossed pattern for added absorbency, while the long roll length means fewer changeovers during a busy shift.
Centrefeed for Restaurants: Kitchen, Pass and Front of House
Restaurants have more zones to cover, and each has slightly different needs.
In the kitchen
Kitchen teams need paper that stands up to grease, moisture and constant use. The Kitchen Roll 24 Pack (MAMKT4) and the Kitchen Mammoth Kitchen Roll 12 Pack (MAMKT1) are both made from 2-ply paper for extra strength and absorbency, with an 11.5m roll length designed to last through multiple services. The 24-pack suits high-volume kitchens; the 12-pack suits smaller sites with tighter storage.
At the pass and prep stations
Wiping plate rims, cleaning down boards and drying equipment all call for strong, absorbent paper close to hand. Mounting a compact dispenser at each station keeps paper where it is used and discourages staff from carrying rolls around the kitchen.
Wash-up and staff areas
Wash-up is one of the busiest points of any restaurant. The Mini Centrefeed Dispenser is a compact option for kitchens, break rooms and other high-traffic areas, designed to save space and reduce waste. It pairs with the Mini Centrefeed 12 Pack for smaller footprints.
Blue Roll vs White Centrefeed: Which Should You Choose?
Many venues use both. A simple way to decide:
| Use | Suggested choice |
|---|---|
| Bar top, glass drying, general wiping | White centrefeed |
| Kitchen and prep (often colour-coded) | Blue roll |
| Cellar and back-of-house cleaning | Blue roll |
| Front-of-house touch-ups | White centrefeed |
If your venue colour-codes cleaning materials, blue roll is the industry-standard choice for cleaning tasks. The Blue Roll 150m 2ply 6 Pack offers a 175mm width and embossed sheets for strength and absorbency. For longer runs between changeovers, the Blue Roll 300m 1ply 6pk is a professional-use roll ready for service.
Five Tips for Getting More From Your Centrefeed System
- Fit a dispenser at every key station. Loose rolls tend to be used faster and get dirtier.
- Match ply to task. Use 2-ply where strength and absorbency matter, 1-ply for lighter wiping.
- Check roll length against your service pattern. Longer rolls mean fewer changeovers at peak times.
- Store spare rolls dry and off the floor. Cellar damp is the enemy of paper stock.
- Review usage after busy periods. If rolls are going faster than expected, check the dispenser and positioning first.
Stock Your Bar or Restaurant With Lothian Supply Company
Lothian Supply Company supplies bars, pubs and restaurants across Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Central Belt. Browse the full centrefeed collection to build a paper system that suits your venue, or get in touch with our team at sales@lothiansupplycompany.co.uk if you would like to talk through what you need. Samples can be arranged on request.
