Outdoor dining is one of life’s most treasured pursuits – and a selling point for any bar or restaurant. Here Canopies UK examine how creating a terrace for alfresco dining helps businesses pull in the crowds and differentiate from the competition.

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Time spent eating and drinking with loved ones is even more special and memorable when sat in the fresh air. Whatever the season, if the sun is out, people jump at the chance to sit outdoors and are often happy to pay more.

73% want more outdoor seating

In a 2022 survey, reservation service Opentable found almost three quarters of those surveyed said they wanted to see more outdoor dining options in the coming years, and 88% want to choose where they are seated.

“The British climate is not best suited to all-year alfresco dining. But that shouldn’t stop us — one thing we learned from 2020 is how inventive hospitality can get with such things.” Opentable

Hospitality venues with outdoor space have the chance to respond to this demand and cater to more customers – ahead of the competition. Venues that invest in their outdoor areas stand to increase margins by accommodating and serving more covers.

Pull in crowds

People seek out an attractive dining terrace in every season. After all, an alfresco coffee or cocktail is as enjoyable on a crisp autumn afternoon as it is in 30-degree heat. Creating an outdoor dining area is an investment in your venue as a destination.

A terrace is a chance to reach new customers and have these customers return to your business specifically for the outdoor dining experience they enjoyed first time around.

Reach people online

Did you know 90% of guests research a restaurant online before dining? (Upserve)

While some people may disagree, many of us wouldn’t go to a restaurant or bar without searching it online first. And this can work to your advantage. The term “restaurants with outdoor seating near me” has an average search volume of 8,200 in the UK alone.

Promoting outdoor dining on your website and social profiles enables you to reach more new customers and increase bookings. Not only will you see a spike during hot weather, but you’ll create a strong online presence for your venue in every season.

Increase dwell time

Outdoor tables are hard to come by in the sunshine, particularly in busy cities. Customers are more likely to hold onto a table and spend more when they get it. In fact, Big Hospitality found that 79% of UK diners dwell longer in a restaurant when dining outdoors.

Offering table service outdoors is another way to increase customer spend. Since the pandemic, we have come to expect the ease of table service. Remote ordering is another opportunity to increase orders, particularly outside where people may have to travel further to order.

Flexible shelter

Creating an outdoor dining terrace doesn’t have to mean rethinking your whole approach to dining. The best outdoor dining areas are a natural extension of the interior space, giving customers the indoor-outdoor environment associated with holiday destinations.

The main consideration should be what outdoor space you have and how you will make the best of it. Creating outdoor shelter provides the best return on investment, with seats available to diners even in rain showers.

Retractable roof canopies provide a flexible solution for hotels and restaurants. The roof is retracted in good weather to allow diners to enjoy the sun and covered over in rain or extreme sun to create shelter and shade.

Combined with heating systems, retractable roof canopies allow the venue manager to set the climate of their outdoor dining terrace, amending the temperature and cover as required. These venues can take outdoor bookings all year round.

“Cosy and covered in winter, and the perfect suntrap come summer”

Bernadette Gilligan, General Manager of Savage Garden @ Hilton DoubleTree, Tower of London, had this to say about the retractable roof dining canopy installed by Canopies UK at their venue:

“Come rain or shine, guests can enjoy everything from drinks to private events in the space as the retractable canopy – designed and built as bespoke for Savage Garden – means that the terrace can be cosy and covered during winter, and the perfect suntrap come summer.”

Canopies UK turn outdoor space into beautiful dining areas and covered terraces. With 30 years’ experience designing, manufacturing, and installing outdoor canopies, Canopies UK help hotels and restaurants make the most of disused outdoor areas.

With high profile outdoor canopy installations for hotel groups including Hilton, Malmaison, and Jurys Inn, Canopies UK are a trusted partner to the hospitality industry. An experiential outdoor dining destination requires a versatile and durable shelter. Canopies UK design bespoke canopy systems to enable outdoor dining in every season.

canopiesuk.co.uk | 01254 777 002 | info@canopiesuk.co.uk