How to Prepare Your Pub for Christmas and New Year

12th November 2018

With Christmas fast approaching, it’s time to think about the extra opportunities the festive season offers to you and your pub. Preparing early and having your Christmas plans in place is key to helping you make the most of this busy period. Read on for our top tips and ideas to make this festive season a success.

 

Keep Your Customers Up-to-date

 

Having blackboards with festive messaging is an attractive way to display seasonal information to your customers. Incorporate a Christmas calendar where you can highlight your pub’s events and add your opening times during Christmas week. It’s vital to make important information as easy to find as possible for your customers.

 

Social media is a fantastic way to connect with pub-goers and provide up-to-date information about your establishment. By providing great content and helpful information, you’ll be able to grow your following and target an increase in the number of visitors your pub attracts. Be mindful of sudden increases in enquiries and engagement on your social platforms and plan in extra time to reply to your comments. It may be the first time a potential customer is interacting with you so being friendly and professional will give them a good first impression of your business.

 

 

Christmas Decorations for Your Pub

 

For any pub, looking the part is always a priority. Whether you prefer a full ‘deck the halls’ theme or decide on more subtle and simple touches throughout, the choice is entirely up to you. The exterior of your pub gives the first impression, and it’s what makes a potential customer decide if they’d like to go inside. It’s up to you how you decorate your premises, and it will depend on the type of customers your pub attracts. For family offerings, you could incorporate Christmas characters and fairy lights. Try a more subtle approach if your pub appeals to couples or the older demographic.

 

The interior of your pub is just as important. Your bar area can look festive with hanging mistletoe, garlands along the bar and twinkling lights. Add logs to the fires in your seating areas for the colder nights; the more comfortable the area for your customers, the more likely they are to stay. Be sure to have a corner dedicated to your tree. Whether real or imitation, this festive centrepiece is guaranteed to bring all your Christmas elements together.

 

 

Plan Your Pub’s Christmas Menu

 

Tailor your food and drink choices to include seasonal elements as this can be a big hit with your customers. Think about offering a set Christmas menu that could run on specific nights. Include the favourites; turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding. If you have comfy seating areas, why not promote fireside pub lunches throughout the season. As an alternative to a full Christmas service, could you promote a buffet night in the four week run up? Keep the options simple and festive, and it’ll be a great way to increase your takings.

 

When it comes to drinks, keep in mind that trade in the second half of the festive season will be stronger as more people start having time off work. The popularity of craft ales and gins will make these drinks your big hitters. Think about adding classic festive tipples to your menu; eggnog and mulled wine always prove popular! Don’t forget the bubbles too, as there’s always an opportunity to celebrate at this time of year.

 

 

Christmas Promotion Ideas For Your Pub

 

Christmas is a time to promote community spirit and spread good cheer. Have a plan of events so that your customers know what’s going on and when. Why not plan a mini Christmas market and get other businesses involved? Give your events a twist; how about a classic Christmas sing-along with a live band? It’s an event that will get everyone in the party mood. A festive-themed pub quiz will also go down a treat. There’s plenty to try.

 

Celebrate the New Year

 

New Year always brings extra footfall, but with so many places to choose from, you need to think about how you can get those customers to your pub. Think about your clientele and match your entertainment accordingly.

 

If you have enough outdoor space why not acquire a temporary premise license? With this, you could hold a firework display to celebrate the New Year, and you’ll also be able to serve alcohol outside. This type of event can attract a high volume of visitors to your pub so you’ll definitely bring the New Year in with a bang! Think about the space both inside and outside your pub and make it work for you and your customers.

 

 

Remember the Extra Trimmings

 

It’s important to remember all the small details that will help during this hectic season. Bring in extra members of staff during busier periods, and you’ll be able to manage and keep customer waiting times down to a minimum. Recognise how hard your team is working and keep their Christmas spirits up by having a Christmas jumper day so they feel involved in the festivities and their energy stays positive. Your team will help to create your pub’s atmosphere so keep them engaged.

 

This festive season think about celebrating all that’s great about your pub. Whatever you’re planning, make sure your customers enjoy their time with you. After all, a happy customer won’t just return on their own, they’ll recommend you to friends and family, so be ready to impress.