It’s that time of year when a sunny evening will mean that pub beer gardens up and down the country are jam-packed with people soaking up the sunshine. And why not? It’s one of the delights of the British summer and there’s nothing better than a drink or two and a natter after a long week at work.
A lovely beer garden might seem like a boon for a pub owner, providing extra seating for drinkers and diners in the summer months, but it means extra investment too. A pub garden will need to be looked after and outdoor tables and chairs will need to be purchased and maintained. So, what should you look out for in your pub garden furniture? Here are a few things to consider:
WEATHER RESISTANCE
The classic British summer might be getting warmer, but one thing is certain – it will always involve a lot of rain. Then there’s the hail, storms, frost, snow and ice we are treated to at other times of year… If you want to offer somewhere for customers to sit down outside all year-round, your garden furniture will need to be weather proof. Alternatively, you’ll need somewhere to store furniture during the winter months and spend some time moving it there and back in the autumn and spring.
POLYWOOD garden furniture is completely weather proof, so you can leave it in place all year-round. It is resistant to frost, sun, snow, rain, salt spray and damp, staying in the same condition as it was when it arrived.
DURABILITY
If you wake up in the morning and the weather had become a little breezy in the night, you probably don’t want to have to whizz around the garden catching tables and chairs that have run away! Pub garden furniture needs to be weighty enough to withstand windy weather and perhaps the occasional tipsy person hanging onto it. In addition, your garden furniture will have drinks and food spilt on it on a nearly daily basis and you don’t want staff to have to spend lots of time scrubbing food and drink stains off the surface.
POLYWOOD outdoor furniture is built to last. We supply several holiday parks in the UK, and they report that their furniture stands up to season after season of hard use and still looks great! It won’t stain if food and drinks are split on it and it is reassuringly sturdy – it won’t blow away in a hurry.
SAFETY
Your garden furniture might become a climbing frame for children whose parents are enjoying a meal at your pub, so it’s imperative that it is free from splinters and isn’t faulty. In our increasingly litigious society, you will also need to make sure that all seating is safe and there aren’t any nails sticking out from underneath a table or chair.
POLYWOOD outdoor furniture won’t split, warp or splinter as it is crafted from a unique ‘lumber’ that is made from recycled milk bottles! It is UV resistant and will stay looking as good as new for many years to come.
MAINTENANCE
Traditionally, pub garden furniture comprises picnic tables and benches crafted from a hardwood. They tend to weather and splinter in the sun and go a little green and slimy in the winter, so will need treating several times a year to stay in good shape. Some higher end pubs might have beautiful rattan seating on patios, but this will need to be brushed off frequently, and washed at the end of the season. It will also need to be covered when it rains and moved into shelter for the winter.
POLYWOOD doesn’t need oiling, painting or treating to stay looking as good as new. All you will need to do is give it a wash with warm soapy water if it gets muddy or one too many drinks split on it.
