Garden

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Summer is when pub gardens really come into their own, but there's no time to waste when it comes to checking that yours is in tip-top condition says Tony Halstead

It's the season of daffodils, tulips, budding shrubs and a beckoning to the great outdoors for licensees aiming to net big returns from al fresco eating and drinking.

Romantically the heralding of summer conjures up images of lazy sun-filled days, croquet, Pimm's and afternoon teas on the lawn. Realisticallyit is anything but that, as most publicans willreadily testify.

Running an effective outdoor pub operation requires a lot of thought, planning, hard work and investment in the right kind of equipment. But get the package right and the returns can be very lucrative indeed.

If your pub gets a reputation as the place to be when the sun shines, then you can expect a steady stream of customer traffic turning up.

Riverside and canal-located pubs, and those with extensive gardens are the venues that enjoy a natural affinity to outdoor facilities, but even pubs with limited al fresco space can still claim a slice of the action as long as they make the most of what is available.

Whatever the size of a pub garden or patio, a few basic essentials are always needed. Marketing your facilities and making them as attractive as possible with flowers, shrubs and colourful outdoor furniture are perhaps two of the mainelements required.

Some of your locals may already be aware of your outdoor facilities but many others will be totally ignorant of the fact you have outdoor tables, umbrellas and an al fresco food and drink service. Advertising on A boards outside the pub is an obvious way of attracting customers to your premises. Non-regular pubgoers may well only venture out when the sun shines and they will be looking for somewhere with good outdoor facilities and, just as important, somewhere they can take the whole family to enjoy a lunch or early-evening meal.

More adventurous operators, certainly those with extensive patio and garden areas, have gone one stage further and provided attractive awnings, lighting and patio heaters to keep customers on their premises well into the evening.

Geoff Brown, marketing director for Punch Taverns, says that licensees with an eye for the outside should already be getting their summer-trading strategy into place. And well-prepared hosts will already have checked garden furniture and umbrellas to ensure that they are ready for use at the first glimpse of the sun. "It is important to ensure that garden furniture is in tip-top condition because tatty old tables and chairs create completely the wrong impression," says Brown.

Punch has devised a hit list of action for licensees to get the best out of the outdoors this summer.

Use hardwood picnic tables, which will seat more people than individual chairs.

Use stacking chairs and folding furniture in areas that have limited space.

Buy machine-washable zipped cushions for increased customer comfort.

Use patio heaters to keep customers in thegarden longer.

Have plenty of well-positioned litter bins to avoid rubbish and build up of smells.

Keep lawns cut and maintained and water plants regularly.

Brown says that redundant outbuildings make excellent outdoor "stations" to house extra seating, play areas and barbecue facilities.

Marketeers stress that the external appearance of a pub is often the best guide to the quality and standards of the facilities and service to be found inside. A colourful external display of hanging baskets and flower tubs will act as a beacon for your premises and encourage passing traffic to stop and take a look at what you have to offer.

An impressive frontage and attractive entrance area is the first thing a customer notices and licensees rarely get a second chance to make a first impression.