10 minute read
The great outdoors
Out and about
Advice on creAting A sAfe And comfortAble outdoor trAding spAce
Outdoor space, whether within The team at Jones AD are excited by that this needn’t be a hindrance, as lowa grassy pub garden, rooftop the potential for external covered seating cost materials such as upcycled pallets can bar or alfresco drinking terrace, zones, bookable for small groups. “These be used with planting to create screens has always had great potential could be pods, pergolas, booths or screens and dividers, making a space that’s full in terms of generating profit for venues. – to really elevate the experience while of character. “Where power is not easily However, with operators returning from simultaneously minimising customer traffic accessed, there are some really effective lockdown and consumers eager to meet flow,” says Abi. “Each could include its own solar and battery-operated light fittings up and enjoy quality food and drink, it has heating, lighting, sound and visual systems, on the market that will help set the mood, never been more important, especially with direct communications to the bar to while outdoor mirrors are a smart way to when many outlets will be operating at reduced capacity. A fair share of customers may still be apprehensive about sitting The weather is something that isn’t indoors, and outside areas will offer peace of mind. The experience must be safe, as always on our side, so in order to make use of well as enjoyable, and this can be achieved by carefully considering key things such as the outdoor space all-year-round, you can add design and layout, equipment and service. While some venues are blessed with customisable partitioned gazebos to shelter all large outdoor areas, others, coming out of lockdown, have taken the opportunity to your customers. extend outside seating into car parks and other previously unused space in order to maximise capacity. Obviously safety is place orders.” She adds that smart use of give the impression of extended space, with paramount, but it’s also clear that some materials, finishes, fabrics and plantings framed artwork, loose cushions and throws thought needs to be given to how these can soften the space. “Clearly it’s important added for extra comfort and texture.” spaces look and feel. Abi Perry-Jones, that any new features sit well with the UK-based garden building supplier creative director of hospitality design venue’s brand, but a positive, colourful and Dunster House offers a range of partitioned studio Jones AD, believes that, with some fun outdoor space can really set the tone wooden gazebos, which are popular a creativity, operators can produce a great for a great customer experience.” choice with hospitality businesses looking backdrop to a really positive experience for For many operators, there will be to boost their outdoor areas. For the team, customers over the coming months. restraints on time and budget. Abi explains replicating the same atmosphere outside
Utopia Beer Garden 4030 Partition from Dunster House
as inside the venue, ensuring customers feel welcome yet safe to use the services, is a top priority, and this can be enhanced by the addition of outdoor heaters, music, lighting and shelters. “It is important to consider everyone’s view on social distancing measures, so creating a seating plan where customers feel safe is vital,” points out Lara Lewis, marketing manager for Dunster House. “As soon as guests walk into the venue, they will gauge how well you’ve put measures in place by the seating plan. When it comes to accommodating larger groups, consider where you would seat them to ensure social distancing. Couples and smaller groups may be nervous sitting close to a large party, so bear this in mind.”
We’ve been lucky to have sunshine throughout July, but outdoor spaces are likely to be utilised into the autumn months and beyond, particularly if social distancing measures are in place for the long term. “The weather is something that isn’t always on our side, so in order to make use of the outdoor space all-year-round, you can add customisable partitioned gazebos to shelter all your customers,” suggests Lara. “Having a wooden structure with a partition means you can accommodate more people under the one structure, whilst still maintaining a safe distance between each group. Customers are able to gain their privacy, stay within the distance they wish and have a great time. The beauty of the partitioned gazebos is the glazed panels, allowing guests to embrace the surroundings around them, even though they are enclosed in their own private area.”
For Le Petit Sud, a newly-launched French restaurant and bar in South Kensington, the outdoor space is always important. The team are seeing that, at the moment, whether its sunny or raining, people are enjoying sitting out on the terrace. “You can really feel the need for fresh air and open space after such a long period of lockdown,” says bartender Grégory Almeida. “We can sit up to 14 people on our terrace at all times, where customers can enjoy our food and drink in a safe environment.”
Le Petit Sud’s terrace area features a mix of high and low tables to save space and “offer a different vibe”, complemented by trees, lush plants and flowers. “It needs to be just as comfortable outside as it is inside,” explains Grégory. “Think soft seat cushions and outside heating or blankets.” Alongside this, the team recognise that safety is paramount. “Ensure all necessary measures are in place, such as 1-metre distancing between guests, logbooks and temperature checks on arrival, hand sanitising stations. We use black vinyl gloves for service, which are changed every hour, and sanitise key contact points every 30 minutes. Our guests know we are taking all precautions for their safety and comfort. People are pretty understanding, as long as we are informative and fun about it.”
Ellis Whittam support over 17.5k UK businesses – a great number of which are in the hospitality sector – with employment support from frAnklin & sons Drinking outdoors will become the new normal post Covid-19, at least for some time, so it is important that venues maximise the space, if it’s available to them. Premium soft drink and mixer brand Franklin & Sons is offering a range of support to operators.
PET glasses and carafes, which have been designed for safer and more practical outdoor drinking, are available, as well as colourful branded LED paper lanterns and large chalk boards, while menus have been updated to provide safer handling. “This involves coating all pages of every menu in an antibacterial solution that kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and fungi, in order to help keep consumers safe,” explains Christian Sarginson, brand development controller at Franklin & Sons. “Venues won’t have to maintain the menus’ protective anti-bacterial layer as it has been developed to last its lifespan. We’ve also innovated with QR code technology, allowing consumers to view their spirit and mixer menu by simply scanning the QR code with their smart phone camera, removing the need for physical contact.”
law, HR and health & safety. For operators looking to make the most of their outside areas, Nick Wilson, director of health & safety services and former HSE inspector, offers some helpful advice. “First off, calculate how many customers you can safely accommodate in accordance with government guidance and control customer numbers,” states Nick. “Seating can be arranged so social distancing can be maintained and screens or partitions
Jones AD’s design for The Easton Oak
can be used between tables to make the best use of space whilst keeping customers safe. Also, consider adverse weather. If it’s raining, you don’t want everyone to get up from their table to seek shelter under cover or indoors, abandoning social distancing requirements.”
Nick stresses the importance of regularly cleaning the venue, including any outdoor areas, which may come to be neglected during busy periods. “Ensure materials used
QuintessentiAl brAnds Assists rose pubs Quintessential Brands has been working with one of its key customers, Rose Pubs, to support its 12 sites as they reopen. The pub group has invested in a number of initiatives to protect the business while operating safely in line with government guidance, with significant attention to the garden areas. Outdoor coverings with 150+ additional parasols are being utilised across all sites to expand safe seating and covered capacity for customers. Quintessential Brands has provided 15 Bloom Gin parasols to help meet this need, and offers a range of other POS material, such as ‘bottle boat’ sharing ice buckets for RTDs and pitchers featuring simple recipe ideas, to further enhance the experience.
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on contact surfaces can be easily cleaned and avoid the use of materials such as untreated wood,” he says. “Additionally, use signage to communicate to your customers what behaviour you expect from them. This can include floor markings to remind them of social distancing and posters encouraging the regular use of hand sanitiser, avoidance of unnecessary contact with surfaces and, where possible, to pay with contactless. Lastly, remember any layout changes should also take into consideration fire safety arrangements and fire exits.”
Clearly it’s important that any new features sit well with the venue’s brand, but a positive, colourful and fun outdoor space can really set the tone for a great customer experience.
Although hospitality businesses are faced with stringent safety measures on social distancing, the customer experience shouldn’t suffer as a result. With the help of clever design, attractive POS material, practical equipment and friendly, efficient service, bars can create a welcoming, relaxed and enjoyable environment that guests will want to return to time and time again.
Le Petit Sud
OutdOOr equipment frOm Synergy grill technOlOgy Richard Ebbs, commercial and marketing director at Synergy Grill Technology, recommends thinking of the outdoor space in the same way as the indoor kitchen and bar. This includes, he explains, purchasing equipment that is up to the demands of a commercial environment, rather than opting for a cheaper domestic alternative which could harm the hard-built reputation of the venue and devalue the dining experience.
“For bar operators looking to achieve quality food results from the heart of their outdoor area, then Synergy Grill’s new outdoor cooking options, reigns supreme. Our outdoor options are unlike conventional barbecues, where temperature loss is exacerbated by the volume of food placed on the bars. Thanks to the brands’ practical thermal shock resistant grill bars, which allow chefs to cook a higher volume of food, they can be safe in the knowledge that the temperature will not drop. The atomisation of fats also allows for natural oils to be misted back into the food for enhanced taste and texture. This unique process also turns fat molecules into dust, thus eradicating the need for a fat tray and the need to dispose of fat waste altogether.”
