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The coronavirus crisis has had a huge impact on the UK’s hospitality industry, with restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes ordered to close their doors at the start of the pandemic. During the second quarter , it is estimated that nearly £30bn was lost in revenue, putting lots of businesses in the industry at risk and, unfortunately, many did not survive.

As lockdown rules eased slightly for other industries, the restrictions on socialising and eating in restaurants still remained very strict and restaurants owners found themselves having to adjust the way they operated in order to conform with the government guidelines and keep their staff and customers safe.

New Outdoor Seating

With limited options, restaurant owners had to create socially distanced seating inside their restaurants, limiting the number of customers allowed in at one time and for lots of restaurants, this small number of customers just didn’t provide enough income for them to justify opening and un-furloughing employees. 

In order to create more opportunities for custom, some restaurants offered socially distanced outdoor seating areas. When creating these areas, it was important for restaurant owners to consider the British weather, so having some kind of shelter was crucial in ensuring customers would be shielded from the wind and rain.

Due to the unpredictability of the British weather, they needed something that could allow for customers to enjoy sunny weather, whilst also being quick and easy enough to put in place should the weather take a sudden turn. A popular choice of shelter were retractable canopies that provide enhanced flexibility and a premium, all year round solution, thanks to a strong and robust structure. 

Not only are they practical, but they look great too. Stylistically, they can blend with most types of buildings and here at Aspiration Blinds, we offer either rustic timber or contemporary aluminium frames. 

Thanks to these retractable canopies, restaurants, pubs and cafes have been able to continue operating during the pandemic and providing customers with their much loved food and drinks in a safe way, even on days with the most miserable weather conditions.  

Our Retractable Canopies in Bolton have been designed to resist wind speeds of up to gale-force 10, so whether you’re looking to take full advantage of sunny days or avoid the cold wind and rain, a retractable canopy can keep you covered. We are official distributors of the Gibus Med system and Winsol Patiola, so you can be sure that our products are of the highest quality and available in a range of different styles.

After The Pandemic

Not only have these retractable canopies helped increase revenue during the pandemic, but they will also continue to attract customers even after the crisis has passed as they enhance the dining experience by allowing guests to unwind in the fresh air and perhaps enjoy a beautiful view, or for customers to ‘people watch’ in busy town centres. Even when the weather is nice some customers may seek a shady area out of direct sunlight which can be provided by a canopy.

They can also be used to boost visibility and exposure with the ability to add company logos or names onto the canopy. In the age of social media where people post pictures almost every time they dine out, you could receive free advertising if they capture your brand’s name on a canopy and post it online for their followers to see.

Whether you wish to create an outdoor seating area in response to the coronavirus pandemic or you just simply wish to improve your restaurant’s aesthetic, investing in a retractable canopy can boost your profits and create the perfect ambience. To view our fantastic range of retractable canopies, view our brochures here.

We’d love to hear all about your plans to maximise your outdoor space, especially during these tricky times for the hospitality industry. If you’d like to have a chat with our friendly team about the options available, give us a call on 01204 301751.