Recent research suggests that more Brits will celebrate Christmas at home this year. Even so, it’s still likely to be the busiest time of the year for your pub. And while more business brings more opportunity, it can also pose a significant risk if your pub isn’t ready for it.
So what steps should you take to prepare yourself?
In this article, we’ll share five ways to get your pub ready for Christmas.
Stay protected
Pubs face greater risks than usual over the festive period. For example, more customers mean higher chances of accidents, especially when the weather is typically the most hazardous it is all year. On the other hand, you might need to take on new staff to help manage the higher number of customers, and new hires could be more likely to make simple but costly mistakes. That’s why you might find it useful to review your pub insurance policy to make sure there are contingencies for these risks.
Decorate tastefully
A thoroughly decorated pub makes the perfect backdrop for any Christmas dinner. Many pub owners mistakenly think they need to spend a fortune on decorations but this simply isn’t the case. Even the cheaper decorations can make your pub seem festive and cosy – as long as you decorate tastefully.
Promote properly
Plan out your promotional strategy well in advance. Supermarkets and retail shops start promoting Christmas as early as September these days, so there’s no shame in your pub following suit – within reason. Consider all the channels that you can use, including both traditional channels like flyers on tables in your pub, as well as digital channels such as your website, email list and social media pages.
Offer seasonal upsells
The Christmas period is prime time to encourage your customers to spend more. In the spirit of giving, why not put on some seasonal offers? For example, you could offer a free glass of champagne for anyone who orders a three-course meal, a glass of port for anyone who orders a cheeseboard, or free glasses of brandy with Christmas puddings.
Stock up
Having drawn in plenty of patrons with your promotion and encouraged them to spend with your seasonal offers, you need to ensure that you actually have enough food and drink to service them. Use your bookings to gauge the amount of stock you need to order ahead of the festive period, leaving yourself a large enough margin to account for any last-minute bookings and walk-ins.
Getting your pub ready for Christmas takes work. If you follow our suggestions above, though, you’ll be well on your way to success over the festive period.
