Star Pubs & Bars is allocating £2.4 million of its £20 million 2016 investment budget to improving the external areas at 100 of its pubs.
Outside eating and drinking areas will be developed at 25 pubs to increase their capacity and covers. A further 75 pubs will be benefitting from new signage and external decorations to enhance their kerb appeal.
Where possible work will be scheduled for completion prior to the peak summer trading months and, for pubs with a reputation for sport, in time for Euro 2016.
All weather solutions will be incorporated into many of the schemes which will also extend their use into the colder months. These will include heaters and retractable covers and sides for seated areas. Where appropriate, creatively designed pods and sheds will be installed to cater for smaller groups of customers and give pubs a point of difference from their competition.
Licensees will be making corresponding internal improvements. These will range from premiumising their drinks and changing their menus to redecorating or adding a new coffee offer.
Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs & Bars managing director said: “These projects will meet customer demand for alfresco dining and boost pubs’ capacity for a relatively low spend. The outside of a pub is its shop window and if it looks great it will attract passing trade.”
A £40,000 investment in the outside area at the Hazeldene in Gretna Green is typical of Star’s approach. Part of a £220,000 refurbishment of the pub and hotel, it adds a 40 cover deck to the building accessible through French doors from the pub’s dining area helping to double the pub’s trading space. A retractable canopy and temporary sides can be erected to protect the deck during cold and rainy weather. The extra capacity will also allow the licensees to grow their function and wedding business.