F&B

4 Ways to Make the Most of the Queen’s Jubilee

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is one of the most anticipated events of the Great British Summer. Running from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June, it’s set to be a time of big celebration for people across the country.

The Jubilee is also one of the biggest opportunities of the summer for hospitality businesses. According to a survey by Star Pubs & Bars, two-thirds of people are planning to visit a pub during the long weekend.

After a tough few years, this will be a national celebration like no other and a great revenue opportunity, especially with the news that pubs can stay open for two hours longer in England and Wales.

At LSG, we’re helping our partners get ready with great deals on essentials from food and cutlery to dishwashers and ice machines and amazing outdoor gazebos!

If you’re looking at how you can maximise the opportunity from the Platinum Jubilee, here are some of our top tips.

1. Plan Events Now!

Planning a themed event or activity is a great way to get your customers excited and choose you over your competitors. There are so many potential ideas to appeal to all consumer groups, including:

  • Large TVs broadcasting the Jubilee
  • Themed quiz
  • Fancy dress
  • Local treasure hunt (Starting and finishing with you)!
  • Put up some Pop-up Rum/Prosecco/Gin garden bars – don’t forget you’ll need more ice. Chat to Nelson to see how they can help (currently offering 30% off their ice machines).
  • Street-style celebrations
  • Live music or offer an open Mic to get the community involved

Plan as early as possible. Speak to your staff and get them on board to help create a festival atmosphere. Involving them in the planning means they will buy into the celebrations which will all add to the customer experience.

Many groups will be booking tables and tickets early, so quickly deciding what you will offer and marketing your plans through your social channels and simple, impactful changes such as POS in the bar or A-boards outside, can help you reach more customers.

2. Use a Simple Menu

Offering food is a great way to keep people in your outlet all day and make more money per head. Expecting a high turnout?  Consider a limited menu to keep things simple which will deliver a great customer experience and high margins for you.

Something like pizzas are an incredibly profitable item and a simple crowd pleaser, so you could consider hiring a pizza oven for the day. Top with British and local produce  like asparagus or how about a British Fry Up pizza with sausage, bacon, tomato and an egg!  Or how about a simple Hog Roast or BBQ. Another great choice is ice cream, perfect for the summer celebrations. Think about utilising your team in various other ways, such as serving ice cream or cooking pizzas outside, freeing the chef to focus on your menu inside.

Right now, LSG partners can enjoy 30% off some of Bidfood’s most popular lines, including their range of ice-creams.

3. New Furnishings

At LSG, we’re working with outdoor furniture specialists Woodberry to help our members. Check out some of their top tips below on maximising your outdoor space.

  • An outdoor shelter takes the risk out of the weather and will work hard for you after the Jubilee is over. Planning permission isn’t required for shelters under 2.5m tall (check local planning restrictions) and are more substantial than pop up gazebos or marquees – a great solution for hospitality outdoors all year round.
  • Shelters or gazebos can be offered as private-hire spaces
  • Temporary outdoor bars
  • Entertainment stage
  • Foldable and flexible tables and chairs allow for open space later in the evening. Communal tables also make the most of seating more people in a space
  • Don’t forget parasols and bases for the sunshine! Check you have the right bases too; parasols up to 2.7m diameter are fine with a 30-40kg base, but parasols of 3m or more need a 40-50kg base.

If you’re concerned about the potential expense of new furnishings, consider how many more people you could sit and work out the potential expense/return. You may also want to consider how any new furnishings could be used year-round to ensure a return on investment. LSG members receive a saving of at least £250 on delivery and installation from Woodberry outdoor shelters and gazebos, plus 30 day credit terms to help with cash flow.

With all the new seating and more customers than usual, you may need more glasses and crockery to make sure you don’t come up short on the big day. Again, LSG members can benefit from our partnership with Alliance to get discounts on these items.

4. For all seasons…

The Great British Weather is an unpredictable thing. While we’re all hoping for a clear and sunny weekend, we know changes can happen quickly!

Get your plans in place for your outdoor spaces regardless of the weather. A simple option is parasols which customers can use how they want. Large freestanding, waterproof gazebos are also especially useful and can be hired out too. Mono pitch gazebos that adjoin buildings can also help to extend your indoor restaurant or bar into the outdoors. Or smaller dining cabin huts work well for smaller spaces. This way, if Mother Nature does strike, your events and celebrations can continue!

More long term fixtures like wooden shelters or dining cabins can become a unique selling point for your pub that attracts customers all year round. Discuss what you might want with   our partner supplier Woodberry. They can help and guide you through what is best for your own outlet.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is going to be a great opportunity for the hospitality industry to earn back some of the income that has been lost over the last few years. Regardless of whether you’re benefiting from our discounts or not, we wish you all the best ahead of the celebrations.