Inside out: outdoor furniture for pubs

As we head into spring and summer, pubs will be looking to maximise the potential of their gardens and external areas with attractive and comfortable furniture. Sonya Hook reports.

A pub garden can act as an extra room on your property if you do things properly. It can be an extended dining area, playground, cooking space and more — but kitting it out can be an expensive and time-consuming job, and plenty of people make costly mistakes by not sourcing the right furniture and equipment.

There are many companies that can offer expertise and advice along with their products to businesses looking to make the most of their external space, but the key for busy licensees, of course, is finding them. So here's a handy guide to some of the best suppliers in the market and some of their expert advice.

Furniture​

Choosing the right furniture is often a good place to start when planning a garden. But there's a lot to choose from.

"Reflecting the growth in alfresco entertaining over the past few years, there have been huge developments in outdoor furniture design; from rattan tables and chairs to polycarbonate tub chairs in any colour you want. The choice is vast," says Inn-Fresco managing director Duncan Chapman.

One company, the Tabula Trading Company, says it can offer site visits to help plan out a garden space, if required.

"All our furniture is available with full site-fitting service, including security-fixing across the range, even down to our parasols," says managing director Nick Barnicoat. "We manufacture a variety of ranges to suit different styles of pub, as well as accessories such as parasols, litter bins and planters. We also offer a bespoke design and manufacture service at reasonable prices."

Barnicoat notes that the company's whole range is designed and made for the pub sector with the aim of providing durable and attractive solutions for pub gardens and outdoor areas.

Woodberry of Leamington Spa is another provider of outdoor furniture for pubs.

"Virtually all our products would ideally suit pub gardens, including various designs of picnic tables, separate tables and chairs in teak or rattan, benches, parasols, planters, litter bins, chalkboards and bespoke products," explains managing director Chris Barr.  

There are two key ways that pubs can increase business, according to Barr. "Firstly by persuading each customer to spend more, and secondly by drawing in more customers. Clearly, with the number of pubs closed, there are customers out there to be drawn in, but how?"

Making a good first impression is essential, says Barr, and getting the outdoor area looking good is the best way to do this.

"In order to increase your trade, the pub exterior must convey that you care for your customers."

Accessories​

Similarly, Inn-Fresco's Chapman points out the importance of "accessorising" your garden.

"We know that a good outdoor development, which has been well accessorised with attractive well-maintained outdoor furniture, planters and perhaps decking, can make a real statement," he says. "Add an awning or parasol and you can create a pleasant, comfortable area for your customers to eat, drink and relax in, ensuring that they stay longer and want to return again and again."

Inn-Fresco has a big range of coverings, from simple awnings to freestanding retractable roof systems.

Helen Reynolds, director at Shading by Design, a manufacturer of giant umbrellas, awnings, sail shades and screens, says with times being hard for the industry at the moment, it is "even more important that investments in outdoor areas are made wisely to ensure the maximum return and profit, and that the right solution is used".

The company recently launched its Med System product, which is a type of awning with front support. Shading by Design can also offer umbrella hire, cleaning, maintenance, decking and landscaping.

"Our aim is to improve the design and installation of outdoor areas using high-quality products and to offer a complete maintenance and repair package both indoor and outdoor," she says.

Meanwhile, a patio/terrace roof product with built-in spotlights has recently been launched by SBI. The product, called Veranda Lux, joins the company's portfolio of awnings, canopies, giant umbrellas, smoking shelters, lighting, heating and wind breakers. SBI also offers cleaning and maintenance for its products.

For a whole range of outdoor options, Alfresco Solutions is one company that says it can act as a "one-stop shop". The company specialises in outdoor products, but it can also offer site surveys and advice. Products include awnings, bespoke solutions and heating.

"Our giant heated umbrella is one of the best products on the market," says spokesman Bradley Jones-Chapman. "A lot of pubs like these because there's no need to attach an umbrella to a building as you might have to do with an awning, so they are free from planning permission."

The company also does Italian awnings, a style that is more enclosed, in the form of a wall-to-floor system. These can be fully retractable if required. And, he says, Alfresco also does Victorian-style awnings too.

"We also offer a full range of colours, artwork and logos using screen or digital printing, for our umbrellas and awnings," Jones-Chapman notes.

Suiting all customers​

Awnings can help to provide some shelter from the sun and also light rain if required, but to really prepare for the British weather it's worth investing in some form of outdoor heating system. These are particularly useful for pubs that want to cater for smokers.

Orion Bio is a manufacturer of both indoor and outdoor heaters, infra-red ceramic wall heaters and floor heaters.

"The infra-red ceramic wall and floor heaters offer a real cost-effective alternative to convection heating, typically resulting in only approximately a 10th of the running cost," says company spokesman Delroy Dore.

"Unlike other makes, these infra-red heaters are supplied and adjusted using a remote control or are thermostatically controlled allowing them to be turned up and down."

Another company that can help pubs to cater for smokers is Sovereign Design. The company has a range of shade and shelter products, many of which are described by

sales director Darran Hine as being "ideal for outdoor seating and smoking areas".

As well as these products the company specialises in play equipment, which can help pubs create an area for younger visitors.

"We have a range of play equipment for children of all ages and abilities — pub favourites include our range of adventure towers, swings and low-level trails that are manageable for all children. Safer surfacing and fencing is also available."

New products for 2011 include Sovereign's Thumper Elite adventure tower and the Drapeau adventure tower. The former is an upgraded version of its Thumper tower, which has three new additions: a gang plank, a sand pit and a framed scramble net climber. The Drapeau tower combines a trio of single towers linked with a clatter bridge and pull-through tunnel. It also has log climbers, a slide, two scramble nets and picnic tables.

"Sovereign can also give advice on compliance issues, undertake a site survey and then recommend the ideal play equipment to suit a customer's environment," says Hine.

Food equipment​

Pubs that want to squeeze in as many diners as possible during the summer months shouldn't just think about adding extra tables outside.

It's also worth thinking about additional cooking facilities to take the pressure off the kitchen. Rotigrill is one company that can offer a selection of products, including hog roasters and stainless-steel rotisseries complete with skewers and kebabs.

"Our products give pubs a competitive edge by supplying a 'see and smell' experience," says company spokesman Colin George.

"Rotigrill food is cooked outdoors on open-fire charcoal rotisseries, so diners can see and smell the food cooking. They don't just have their food delivered from a kitchen to

their table."