Why Beer Gardens Matter More Than Ever for Community Pubs

Now that the longer, sunnier days are finally with us, you may notice many people start to frequent their local pub more regularly. Having adequate outdoor space to accommodate this extra footfall during warmer weather has become increasingly more important for local community pubs, especially during weekends, bank holidays and other social occasions. 

For anyone looking at pubs to run, ensuring there’s a good beer garden or terrace attached can make a noticeable difference to how busy your pub will be during the summer months and is naturally going to be better for overall trade. 

Why Do Beer Gardens Matter So Much to Community Pubs?

Beer gardens have always played an important role within community pubs, but over recent years, outdoor space has become far more valuable from both a social and commercial perspective. When the weather improves, customers don’t want to be stuck indoors and many will naturally look for pubs with outdoor seating, especially those planning on making a day of it. 

From a trade perspective, outdoor space also gives operators much more flexibility. Families and larger groups are generally easier to accommodate outside, and when customers are comfortable, they’ll usually stay longer and spend more over the course of the day. For many community pubs, beer gardens become just as important as the indoor trading space once the weather starts improving.

What Makes a Beer Garden Work Well for Customers?

When people come to a beer garden, they want a comfortable, relaxing environment. That means having adequate seating with tables spaced out properly and a clear unobstructed route to and from the pub itself. This is especially important during busier periods when outdoor spaces can quickly become overcrowded. 

As we’re all aware, the weather can change fast in the UK, even during the summer months, so shade and shelter are also important aspects to consider. Many customers will want the option to sit outdoors, but maybe without being fully exposed to the sun, and likewise, need to be able to shelter if it suddenly rains. 

Then there’s the overall visual appeal. No one wants to sit in a dirty beer garden where the bins are overflowing, and the furniture has been poorly maintained. A good beer garden should always be kept clean, regularly cleared of glassware and cutlery and should be visible from inside the pub so the staff can keep on top of it. 

How Can Operators Make Better Use of Outdoor Space?

For those lucky enough to have an existing outdoor space, there’s plenty of different ways to make better use of it, not just in the summer, but all year round. Hosting seasonal events around bonfire night, Christmas or new year can really help to bring extra activity to the pub. Live music or outdoor sports screening in the warmer, drier months are also a great way to bring the local community together, particularly during weekends and bank holidays.

For food led pubs, outdoor service is an area many are now starting to focus on, especially where there’s adequate seating to comfortably accommodate larger groups. In some cases, operators may also look at making parts of the beer garden more family friendly with separate seating areas or additional space for children during daytime trading hours.

Ultimately though, it comes down to using the space in a way that suits both the pub and the local customers. Not every pub will benefit from large events or constant entertainment, but making outdoor areas feel welcoming and well used can still play a big part in overall trade during busier times of year.

What Should You Consider Before Taking on a Pub with a Beer Garden?

Before taking on any pub with outdoor space attached, it’s important to understand that beer gardens also come with extra responsibility. Outdoor furniture needs to be kept in good condition, and gardens need regular upkeep to keep the space looking fresh. Any outdoor space should always be treated as an extension of the pub itself and maintained accordingly. 

If you plan on hosting big events regularly, whether its sport related, live music or seasonal, you may need to consider noise implications. While daytime noise is usually tolerated, sound travels further at night, and the last thing you need is constant noise complaints from the locals in the area. 

It’s important to remember that outdoor trade is heavily seasonal in the UK. A busy beer garden during summer doesn’t always mean the same level of trade continues throughout the colder months. That’s not a deal breaker by any means, but should certainly factor into your wider business plans. 

Why Are Beer Gardens Valuable During Major Sporting and Summer Events?

Think of it this way. The more people you can get to your pub, and the longer you can keep them there, the better it is for business. That’s a no brainer. And to this extent, beer gardens start to become valuable additions to any pub, especially when some can accommodate a larger capacity than the pub itself and helps stop the indoor bar and restaurant areas from feeling overly cramped.

Bank holidays, local events and major sports tournaments also tend to bring more people into community pubs during the daytime and early evenings, especially when the weather is good. For many operators, having an outdoor space becomes one of the biggest assets they have during these periods, especially if the pub also regularly shows live sport or hosts local community events throughout the year.

How Does Admiral Taverns Support Operators Running Community Pubs?

Community pubs remain a major focus across the Admiral Taverns estate, with a variety of pub styles available across different locations and communities.

If you’re looking to run a pub with Admiral Taverns, our recruitment teams are on hand to provide support and guidance throughout the application process while helping you to better understand the opportunity at the same time. With flexible opportunities available across the estate, operators are able to explore different types of pubs depending on the kind of business they want to run.