Wetherspoon outlet uses heated lighting to make most of garden

Summer may be over, but new JD Wetherspoon outlet, the Capitol, in Forest Hill, South London, has converted its garden into a year-round feature.

The pub was originally a cinema - it has kept the name - and had been lying empty for some years.

The garden has special heated lighting that means it can be used now, as the weather gets colder, instead of the licensee waiting until next spring to make the most of the feature.

"Not only have we kept the original cinema name, but inside the décor retains much of the old atmosphere," said assistant manager Duncan Burgis. "The garden, which has about 10 tables, is proving very attractive to customers during the day and at night."

The lights, which have been developed by West Bromwich-based Tansun, use the latest technology and give out "radiant heat" - designed to heat customers and not the air between them.

Tansun marketing manager Lynn Parsons, said: "Many pubs are finding they can cash in on their garden and patio areas by making them more attractive and comfortable for customers during the evenings and by taking the chill off otherwise sunny days."

• see www.quartzheat.com