19 tips for a successful winter or smokers' terrace
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SYMO TIPS 19 tips for a successful winter or smokers' terrace Winter and smokers' terraces are an important trend. As soon as it is possible, we all want to sit outside. This trend is clearly visible in cities such as Copenhagen. Although the 'cool' Danish capital is situated far in the north, during the winter you can find covered terraces almost everywhere you look. Because people just love being outside - wherever and whenever possible! This trend is also on the increase in our own cities and you can now find winter terraces in lots of places. This evolution has been strongly encouraged by the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. For any business that respects itself and, more importantly, its customers, it is essential to offer smokers adequate comfort: just telling them go and stand on the street without any form of shelter is simply not an option! A good winter terrace provides protection against wind, rain and cold. But how do you make such a terrace? Where should you start? Especially for the catering industry, Symo Parasols has drawn up this checklist of 18 tips for the successful design of a winter or smokers' terrace. We sum up all the things you need to think about when constructing your outdoor terrace. We wish you an enjoyable and informative read. Remember that our advisors will be happy to answer any additional questions you might have.

TIP 1 Protect your guests against the rain According to the Royal Meteorological Institute, Belgium has an average of 200 rain days each year. That is more than half the total number days. Protecting your customers from the rain is therefore a matter of great importance. You can do this with a canopy, an awning or waterproof parasols. Parasols are the easiest option, since you can open and close them as necessary. What's more, they are usually easy to move and can also be used as sun parasols during the summer. See tip 2. TIP 2 Protect your guests against the sun Make sure that you can also...

TIP 4 Protect your guests against the cold Nobody enjoys sitting in the cold - and that includes your customers! So make sure you provide the necessary heating. The so-called ‹mushroom› heaters are well-known. But there are other types of outdoor heating as well. Some are free-standing, some are mounted on walls, some are direction adjustable, some are fixed position. Some can even be integrated into a parasol. Braziers, open hearths, and bio-ethanol fires are amongst the other options to keep your guests warm, as is the use of fleece blankets. Heated cushions and chairs are one of the more...

Make it attractive Make sure that your winter or smokers› terrace actually attracts people, rather than repels them! You can do this by making use of all kinds of decorative aids, such as plants. You must try to ensure that your terrace exudes the same atmosphere as your interior. People often say - and rightly - that your terrace is the ‹visiting card› for your entire business, because it is the first thing that any potential customer sees. For this reason, you need to devote as much attention to your exterior decoration as to your interior decoration. This important principle will be...

Comfort Make your guests as comfortable as possible. Only use chairs that are easy to sit in (if necessary, with cushions). Provide protection against wind, cold and rain. If people feel good on your terrace, they will come back for more. Bar counter If your bar counter occupies an important place in the interior ambiance of your business, try and create the same feeling on your exterior terrace as well. You can do this by using high tables and chairs, but also by installing a second bar counter outside. Standing tables are another option. Look at the way you create the 'bar feeling'...

TIP 13 Smirting en Smocializing Smoking + flirting = smirting. Smoking + socializing = smocializing. These two new words illustrate two new trends that have developed since the smoking ban was introduced. Because smokers are now ‹exiled› outside, this has resulted in a feeling of group solidarity. Fellow smokers are fellow pariahs! This drives people into each other›s arms - sometimes literally! New couples are formed (through smirting) or new friendships are forged (through smocializing). Make sure that your terrace encourages this group feeling. Or to use fancy modern jargon: ‹create a...

Fiat Lux Latin quotations are really 'in' at the moment. 'Fiat Lux' means 'Let there be light'. As an experienced catering professional, you will know better than anyone that the right atmospheric lighting is vitally important for determining the mood and ambiance in your interior. But this applies equally for your terrace. So make sure you install the same lighting as indoors. Tip: Make use of candles and indirect lighting both inside and outside. It is useful to be able to dim your lights, when the circumstances require it. Seek advice from the professionals who installed your interior...