As the days get longer and the nights warm up, it’s possible to start entertaining your guests and customers outside. But when you move outside, there are some additional considerations you need to make, involving comfort, appliances and service.

The first thing you need to consider is shade. Even in the UK, when the sun beats down it can get hot and UV rays can be dangerous. Sure, it’s nice to sit in the sun for a little bit to soak up the warmth, but you need to provide your guests with areas where they can escape its glare. If you haven’t the space to build permanent structures, then a semi-permanent shade area is a good idea. This could be an umbrella, shade cloth, marquee or other temporary structure that casts some shade.

These kinds of structures can also double up as a protection against the weather, should it turn in the other direction. In the UK, a sunny day can quickly turn into a wet and windy one, and if you have no contingency for your outside event, then you could be asking for trouble.

Comfort is also important. When your guests are outside, they still want to be able to get comfortable during their stay. Think outside furniture suites with cushions and specially designed outdoor furniture that can withstand both the heat and moisture of the British summer.

When moving your guests outside, you can take advantage of the natural light during the day. Try and position your outside areas so that they avoid the worst of the midday and early afternoon sun but maximise any kind of evening light. The sunlight just before dusk is always beautiful and you should try and take advantage of this. Of course, when the natural light fades, you need to turn on your artificial lighting. This can be in the form of candles or solar lights but it’s always a good idea to have some mains exterior lighting too. Remember that lighting is crucial for mood, so try and keep it as unobtrusive and glaring as possible.

When serving outside, if you have no easy route back and forth from the kitchen or bar, then you might need to think of alternatives. If you can get to and from the prep areas, then trays, trolleys and other service items will be enough. But if it’s a circuitous route or just not feasible, then it might be worth setting up an outside bar or kitchen. For this you will need a power supply, fridges and chillers, some form of cooking appliance such as a barbecue, and anything else you need to make your service as easy and efficient as possible.

Here at Crown Supplies, you can find everything you need to make your outside hospitality space cosy, comfortable and profitable. From outdoor furniture to exterior service utensils, you can get everything you need to make the most of the summer service season. Check out our range to find out more.