Marketing a pub to the general public involves more than just placing ads in newspapers, putting up a witty chalkboard sign, or offering a Monday night meal deal. The most powerful advertisement for any pub is the building itself. Here are some tips to enhance your pub’s appeal, along with examples of breathtakingly beautiful pubs.
Even if your pub serves the best-tasting beer, boasts the cleanest glasses in town, and offers a warm welcome to every customer, a negative first impression can deter potential patrons. The good news is that this is easy to fix. A pub should consistently shine from top to bottom, inside and out, to draw customers in.
As a landlord, your days are often filled with tasks like pulling pints or restocking supplies, but it’s crucial to stay vigilant about your pub’s appearance. Set aside a few minutes each day to thoroughly assess your premises. Note any areas that need improvement, prioritize them, delegate tasks, and address any issues as soon as possible.
Here’s a checklist of common issues that can be easily resolved to boost your pub’s curb appeal and invite more customers inside:
- Keep weeds at bay. Remove weeds from around the premises, including car parks, pavement gulleys, and roof gutters, all year round. Use a long-term solution like PathClear to prevent regrowth.
- Maintain clean windows. Windows are often called the eyes of a building, so keep them sparkling clean. Regularly clean, paint, and replace any cracked panes. Ensure that curtains, if present, are clean and well-maintained throughout the property.
- Clear all rubbish, immediately. Pubs can accumulate rubbish quickly, so stay on top of it. Whether it’s cigarette ends outside the door, a crisp packet in the car park, or a stray drinks mat on the floor, remove it right away.
- Schedule regular redecoration. Customers dislike seeing flaking paint, peeling wallpaper, cracked or missing tiles, rust, or threadbare carpets. Address these issues promptly to avoid bigger problems later, such as replacing rotting windows or dealing with customer injury claims.
- Add plants and flowers. Brighten up the exterior with well-maintained plants and flowers. Hanging baskets can be particularly attractive but require more watering than bedded plants. Consider using a micro-hose watering system and rotating seasonal flowers with evergreens, which can be decorated during the holidays for added charm.
No matter how appealing your pub already is, there’s always room for improvement to attract more visitors. Here are 20 examples of stunningly attractive pubs to inspire your own efforts.
1. The Philharmonic, Liverpool.
2. The Albert, Westminster, London.
3. The White Swan, Stratford.
4. Mr Thomas’s Chop House, Manchester.
5. The Victoria, Paddington, London.
6. The Green Dragon, New Zealand.
7. Old Wellington, Manchester.
8. The Crown, Belfast.
9. The Coal House, The Strand, London.
10. The Viaduct Tavern, Newgate Street, London.
11. The Old Bullring Tavern, Ludlow.
12. The Blackfriar, EC4, London.
13. The Golden Lion, St James’s, London.
14. Old Bank of England, Fleet Street, London.
15. The Old Cock Tavern Fleet Street, London.
16. The London Inn, Padstow, Cornwall.
17. The Nags Head, Knightsbridge, London.
18. The Counting House, Cornhill, London.
19. The Garrick Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon.
20a. The Churchill Arms, Kensington, in Summer.
20b. The Churchill Arms, Kensington, at Christmas.
