You might be an urban-based pub, hotel, restaurant or social club with a courtyard, roof terrace or the option of pavement dining at the front of your venue.
Or it might be that your sports club or tourist attraction has large grounds but a small patio or terrace area for catering.
Whatever your venue type, if it’s got a smaller outdoor seating area, and you’re wondering how you can make the most of this, you’ve come to the right place.
Our Outdoor Furniture Experts have put together 5 top tips to help you maximise your outdoor trade this year even with just a small garden space.
Please bear in mind, that our experts would class an outdoor area to be small if you can fit approx. 6-8 tables or it is approx. 40sqm.
1. First Impressions Count
If your frontage is your only outdoor space, or you have pavement dining, or a small garden which is visible from the road, you want to be sure to make a great first impression.
Potential customers will pass your venue and see your outdoor seating areas, so you want to provide a welcoming, bright and easy to navigate entrance. A poorly lit, messy looking seating area will turn customers away.
If your garden isn’t visible from the front, ensure you have clear directional signage and you advertise your outdoor space to passers by.
You could brighten up your frontage with colourful plants in planters or hanging baskets, and choose colourful parasols, and bright outdoor furniture to amplify your impact and visibility.
You want customers first impression to represent the experience they are going to have in your venue. What do you want this to be?
2. Dinner or Drinks?
Do you serve food in your outdoor space? Is it sit-down food, or sharing platter, finger-style food?
If the majority of your customers use the outdoor area for drinks only, then focus on providing outdoor furniture that enables as many groups to be outside as possible.
The Gabion Range Bar Tables or Square Bar Tables are great options as they make it easy to create a relaxed atmosphere that promotes maximum socialising. The Gabion Range Bar Tables can be secured to the ground, making permanent feature tables; whereas the Square Bar Tables can be moved around and joined together to make larger tables.
If you need the area to be flexible to allow for sit-down food, or to cater for elderly or disabled customers, you could pair the bar tables with some Bexley Range Bar Chairs, or add a mixture of small dining tables and chairs. The Bexley Range Tables and Chairs, or the Pacific Range Tables and Chairs are both great options here as they’re easy to clean, maintain and store.
3. Table For 4? Or Drinks To Go?
What are your customers looking for when they come to your venue?
If they’re looking for somewhere to have a catch up over some light snacks or a meal, you’ll probably want to consider the Pedestal Table Range along with some Bexley Range or Brent Range chairs. These tables and chairs are lightweight and easy to move around to accommodate for when you have both larger and smaller groups.
To maximise the amount of customers you can get in the space take a look at communal rectangular tables and bench sets. For example, the Castle Range or the Discovery Range would be perfect here.
Some customers may just want somewhere simple to sit and enjoy their takeaway coffee. In this instance, we recommend looking at adding bench seating around the edges of your space.
4. Is this for a Pavement or Frontage?
If your furniture is located out the front your venue, or in a public walkway, you may want to think about how secure the furniture is.
Will is need to be secured to the ground, or would you prefer lightweight and easy to move furniture that can be brought indoors overnight?
The Gabion Range Square Tables and Stools are ideal for public access areas, such as open gardens or roadside locations. This is because the heavy duty cages can be secured to the ground, ensuring none of your furniture gets moved or relocated.
If it is better for your pavement dining to bring in furniture overnight then we would recommend lightweight tables and chairs that can be easily stacked and stored when not in use.
Again, a good range to look at here would be the Bexley Range, Brent Range, or even the Pacific Range.
5. Squeeze in extras
There are some easy and creative ways that you can squeeze in extra tables, stools or drinks shelves.
We offer small 2-seater picnic tables, that work well down the side of pavements, walkways or flower borders.
Some customers have placed bar stools along a fence or wall with a narrow shelf to put drinks on, or have extended window sills with fold out shelves.
Longer bench seats without tables could be an option where customers are happy to sit with a drink but don’t need a table. This is also a great way to create a relaxed and sociable atmosphere.
Free Site Surveys & Expert Advice
Whatever it is that your customers are likely to do at your venue, there are so many creative ways you can utilise the space.
But you don’t have to decide what’s best on your own. Our commercial outdoor furniture experts are ready to chat to you about how best you can utilise your outdoor seating area.
You can even book a free walk round survey visit so we can see your venue and provide the best solutions for your needs.
Whatever you need, we’re here to help support.
Call us on 01926 889922
Email at [email protected]
Or ask your questions via our web chat.
