Although we are all wishing for the hot sunshine this summer, it’s important to prepare for those summer days when the weather isn’t so glorious too. We all know that the British climate can be extremely unpredictable, so make sure to prepare for all scenarios. For example, do you have a marquee you can pop up in the garden which means that people can still sit outside without getting wet? Also consider which of your summer events can be moved inside if the heavens do open. Read on for advice on which summer events you should be running to drive your sales.
"52% of visits to pubs and bars now start before 8pm. 9 out of 10 of these visits happen in just one place – giving you a great opportunity to make your site an ‘all-in-one’ venue this summer. "
Use your outdoor space effectively
Plan ahead if you have a garden area, some fresh flowers can make a real difference. It can be a game changer – both for the “Instagrammable” appeal for Gen Z and millennials, but also just being in a nice, fresh and beautiful atmosphere. The thought of enjoying an ice cold beverage in a beer garden fills most people with joy – make sure your outdoor space is well lit, inviting, and colourful.
Suitable seating is vital to give your customers somewhere attractive to spend their afternoon and evenings in the summer. Your seating should look inviting and match your venue style. As well as looking great, it needs to be able to stand the test of time so that you don’t have to replace it every year. Upcycling materials is a growing trend and allows you to put your own personal stamp on your outdoor area. Consider spray painting your furniture to give it a new lease of life, or stamping branding onto your tables and parasols or planters. This will give your outlet a personalised and slick look.
Heaters are a great way of enticing customers as they then know they can sit outside and socialise well into the summer evenings and not have to move inside when things get a little chilly. You can use the heaters well into the colder months too and create a snug space for your customers, providing that moment of experience.
"Create long summer occasions in your beer garden with J20 Spritz – effectively upsell and recommend that your customers pair their food with J20 Spritz to help drive sales".
One of the biggest bug bears for customers is the need to go to the inside bar to buy a drink in the summer months – this can easily be rectified. Create an outdoor pop-up bar so that they can order food and drink without having to leave the sunshine. You could use this bar to promote your summer special menu as well as bottled beers and wine, or even a ‘burger and drink’ deal to keep it simple for them.
"If your establishment doesn’t have an outdoor space, then bring the outside in. Open all of your doors and windows on sunny days to match the feel of being outside."