Summer 2022 has been a fantastic season for sport in the UK, from Wimbledon, the Women’s Euros, the Commonwealth Games, and The Open Championship. The hospitality industry certainly made the most of the summer of sport, offering refreshing glasses of Pimm’s in the classic British Pub Gardens around the country.
Making the most of outdoor spaces this winter
The upcoming winter season holds much promise, with the first-ever World Cup held in the winter months. The Men’s World Cup, held in Qatar on November 21st, means now is the time to look ahead to the upcoming winter season and consider how to increase outdoor seating arrangements to attract beer-thirsty football fans.
Every four years, the World Cup undoubtedly boosts the UK economy amidst the celebrations. In fact, The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) predicts that England fans drink around 14 million pints in pubs during the World Cup.
With the Government recently announcing an extension to pavement licences for hospitality venues, what does this mean for bars, restaurants and pubs as they prepare for the winter months ahead and get World Cup ready?
What are the extensions to pavement licences?
The extension means bars, restaurants, pubs, and other hospitality venues can apply to their local authority for an extension on their licence that allows them to place furniture such as tables and chairs outside for customers to September 2023.
The extension follows trade body UKHospitality’s appeal to the Government, stating that the increased licence would help covid-affected hospitality businesses make a faster post-pandemic recovery.
Hospitality venues can now consider investing in more permanent structures, increasing curb appeal and overall customer experience. Many hospitality venues were left scrambling to put together seating arrangements with last year’s outside-only seating restrictions, leaving many pub-deprived customers sitting in the rain under a mishmash of haphazard gazebos and parasols.
The recent announcement means the hospitality industry has plenty of time to begin preparations for the winter months and be well and truly ready for the World Cup madness.
How to optimise outdoor seating
Summer beer gardens are a well-known favourite of customers attending bars, restaurants and pubs but what if you could continue this allure through the winter months when the evenings start at 4pm and temperatures begin to dip?
Awnings allow bars, restaurants, pubs, and other hospitality venues to increase the seating available for customers while offering a great customer experience. Outside tables and umbrellas may suffice in summer, especially with this year’s heatwave temperatures, yet the winter months require something a little sturdier if hospitality venues want to continue to entice customers and be prepared for the business of the upcoming World Cup.
Awnings have options for integrated lighting and speakers within the frame so venues can provide the perfect atmosphere and dining experience, just like indoors. Alfresco winter dining and drinking are drastically improved as temperature-controlled areas are warmed by powerful infrared heaters, meaning customers can enjoy outside dining even on the coldest of days.
As awnings have become increasingly popular in recent years, aesthetic designs have come a long way. Awnings can blend in nicely and any venue can create a bespoke awning design in keeping with the look and feel of the current branding.
What are the options for outdoor seating?
Bars, restaurants, pubs and other hospitality venues are looking for sturdy and water-resistant awnings, built to survive the harsh British winters. Many hospitality venues opt for patio awnings or freestanding designs such as pergolas which can extend to cover up to 40m². Making them suitable options for larger spaces if venues are looking to provide large outdoor areas or even host events.
Glass rooms give the feel of an indoor area and protect customers from the elements, allowing for a cosier atmosphere on colder days. Louvred roofs allow a space to fully optimise any winter sun, opening to maximise sun pouring in and easily rotating to provide shelter if the weather turns.
The vast array of options available will allow hospitality venues to take advantage of the Government’s extension to pavement licences and fully optimise outdoor space in time for the coming World Cup madness. Venues are able to provide extra seating for customers without affecting the aesthetic feel of the space or compromising the overall customer experience.
Author bio
Sian Finch, Awnings Product Manager at Roché Awnings. To get your revenue estimate, visit the Roché Awnings and find out how much you can earn from your outdoor space
