Great beer gardens help grow businesses

Well designed beer gardens with good quality furniture are vital to boost trade, a survey has found.

Seventy one per cent of people think that beer gardens are an important part of British culture and more than a third would take their business elsewhere if the beer garden was not up to scratch.

The survey, carried out by woodcare products manufacturer Ronseal, found that half of the 1,005 people surveyed believe a beer garden is an essential element of a decent pub.

But last summer's bad weather, recent storms and the rush to provide smoking solutions, has left the beer garden slightly tatty, according to the findings.

Eighty five per cent think there has been an upsurge in makeshift and shoddy beer gardens following the introduction of the smoking ban.

James Smith, Ronseal marketing director, said: "Our beer gardens have taken a real battering over the last 12 months from the great British weather and many are looking a little neglected. Our research has shown how important a smart and attractive beer garden is to pub customers."

Ronseal has teamed-up with gardening celebrity Charlie Dimmock to launch a competition to find beer gardens in need of a revamp.

The winner will receive a beer garden makeover by Dimmock, Ronseal and a team of landscapers.

Dimmock, said: "Everyone loves to visit a good beer garden. However, there's nothing worse than having to put up with poorly maintained furniture or shoddy surroundings."

To enter visit www.ronseal.co.uk/eco.