GREAT OUTDOORS? GREAT PROFITS

As the sun puts in an appearance and we all get overly excited at the prospect of going alfresco, ‘take it outside’ takes on a whole new meaning

Clubs and pubs across the country are already taking steps to upgrade outdoor spaces in order to increase their capacity as well as draw in the sunseekers - and, of course, the smokers.
“Everyone seems to be upgrading their gardens this year - we are rushed off our feet,” says Nick Barnicoat, managing director at Tabula Trading Company.

Outdoor furniture
Tabula Trading Company has a range of outdoor furniture including the traditional ‘A’ frame tables as well as a more unusual triangular designed table and bench system called the Winer Diner.

Barnicoat believes that if you consider the relatively low cost of equipping a garden area with good furniture, compared with the investment required to refit the interior, then “it is an extremely good-value way for on-trade operators to increase the capacity of their premises”. Anchor Fast would agree. The company designs and manufactures outdoor furniture including picnic benches, seats and tables in wood and concrete. From robust and solid staples to stylish seating, the company delivers throughout the UK.

All wooden products have a normal five working day turnaround. “We can also offer a next day service if required,” says a spokesman for the company. “Concrete/ Wooden products are delivered and assembled normally within two to four weeks depending on the area.”

If wood’s not for you, then how about rattan chairs and tables from Woodberry of Leamington Spa, (which also offers benches, litter bins and other outdoor products). Or you could talk to AEL Solutions, whose managing director Richard Smith, has seen an increase in the use of nontimber products ordered by on-trade customers. AEL has a range of furniture made with a recycled polymer material, which is light but also hard-wearing, according to Smith.

Umbrellas, parasols and awnings
Most furniture designed for gardens can withstand even the worst British summer weather, but to help keep customers outside come rain or shine, it’s worth looking at covering options such as umbrellas or parasols. Of course these can also be useful in the colder weeks when smokers want to brave the outdoors in all weather conditions. Alfresco Solutions is one company which has a range of products suitable for creating bespoke smoking areas in a garden. “We offer various solutions for on-trade customers looking to enhance their smoking areas,” explains company spokesman, Bradley Jones-Chapman.

The company has a range of wooden smoking shelters and also large umbrellas, which can help to provide shelter in a garden space, as well as making the area more attractive for drinkers, diners and smokers. “Younger people are more open to outdoor areas and ontrade venues can encourage people if they put the right facilities in their gardens for those who want to sit outside to eat or for smoking areas,” he says.

Alfresco Solutions also has giant heated umbrellas which can be put up in any space and moved around, unlike built-in covered spaces, which may need to have planning permission.

AEL Solutions also claims to have had a successful few months recently with sales of its Glatz umbrellas and Stobag awnings, which can be combined with cigarette disposal facilities.

The company has a range of different umbrellas and > awnings, as well as heaters (gas and electric) and tables for standing customers, which have stainless steel tops for durability.

Jumbo Umbrellas have been popular with the on-trade for the past few years since the smoking ban, according to supplier Global Parasols. But the company is now also seeing good sales of its own umbrella product, which it offers as an alternative to the German-made Jumbo Umbrellas it stocks.

“Our VorTex product gives the licensee the ability to put it up and then walk away and forget it, and it’s great for windy areas,” explains managing director, Matthew Clark. “The German ones aren’t really designed to stay up all year around. It was in response to a demand for a product that didn’t need to be put away seasonally that we created VorTex.”

More permanent covering options for gardens are also available from companies such as Shading by Design. The company has a range of parasols but it also has sail shades, screens and awnings, which come in a variety of sizes and styles.

“We can also offer a maintenance and cleaning service for existing awnings and umbrellas,” says director Helen Reynolds. “We can do minor or major maintenance as required.”

Simple awnings or more complicated and sophisticated retractable roof systems are also available from Inn-Fresco. www.clubmirror.com Rain may stop play but it won’t stop members from going alfresco, thanks to umbrellas and awnings. (Pictured: Shadings by Design)

“Add an awning or a parasol and you can create an area for your customers to eat, drink and relax in pleasant, comfortable surroundings ensuring they stay longer and want to return again and again,” says managing director Duncan Chapman.

Dining Alfresco
For venues that offer food, using an outdoor space is an easy way of increasing profits. Not only can gardens increase the amount of tables that the premises can offer but they can also host barbecue events, which allow for simple, easy to cook and popular meal options.

“Making use of your outdoor areas will increase the capacity of your venue and barbecues are a great way of generating profits and impressing diners,” says Brenda Lavelle, UK marketing manager at Cinders Barbecues. The company, which has been manufacturing barbecue equipment since 1984, has a range of products to suit all venues, including one which can fold down to 190mm, weighing only 47kgs.

The company can also offer accessories for outdoor cooking such as the Universal Griddle, which converts one side of the company’s Slimfold Caterer TG160 barbecue into a flat cooking surface, and the Pan Support, which takes two holding containers for hot and cold food. Hog roasters can also be a good option for outdoor spaces or for special outdoor events. Both Rotigrill and Tasty Trotter are among those going the whole hog with hog roasters

Kirklees Developments manufactures a large range of barbecues to suit every size of club, from stylish stainless steel catering barbecues with a temperature gauge in the lid and a handy cupboard right up to a heavy duty, stainless steel hog roaster.

Founded in 1976, the company reckons to have one of the largest catering barbecues on the market. The Magnum 8 Catering Barbecue has a grill area of 1600mm x 480mm and is 1900mm long (6’5”).

Why a great outdoors wins
Even the smallest of on-trade gardens may take a bit of time and money to become a functional and attractive space. It’s worth remembering though that a welcoming garden area could be the deciding factor that helps to draw in a crowd and their wallets on a sunny day.

“The outside of a venue is the first thing a customer sees and a properly laid-out garden or front of house can attract a lot of customers,” notes Tabula’s Barnicoat. “Although we do not have the best climate in the UK, when the weather is good, a well-equipped garden will be full to capacity.”

If you’re worried about customers spending too long in the sun and forgetting to come in to spend more at the bar, then consider something like EasyCAll from Call Systems Technology (CST), where a small weatherproof button is sited on outdoor tables. When pressed, the EasyCall button transmits a signal that indicates which table requires service.

Finally, it’s back to smokers - and - as if you didn’t know, keeping smoking areas attractive can be important to maintaining the smokers’ custom. According to recent research by Harris International Marketing (November 2010), smokers spend more on drinks if that venue offers a specific smoking area. They also spend £850 more a year than the average non-smoker!