Summer is fast approaching, and that means one thing: more time spent outdoors. As a hospitality venture, business booms when the sun shines. It’s easy to focus on perfecting menus and streamlining customer services. However, it’s equally important to evaluate your current outdoor seating area.

Will it cope with higher customer capacity? Does it even appeal to pre-existing customers? And (most importantly) is it licensing compliant? Here’s how to upgrade your outdoor seating area for summer.

 1. Understand and Comply with Licensing Regulations

As a business owner, your first point of call should be checking your current licensing plan. The good news is that if it isn’t, applying for a Pavement Licence is easy. 

Budget £500 or less for the application process. If approved, you’ll get the green light to place furniture, heaters, and more outdoors — the only caveat being that you have to leave a clear pedestrian pathway. That sunshine is enough to tempt most businesses into delving into al fresco dining, so prioritise licensing compliance.

Upgrading, creating, or embellishing a current outdoor seating area? Consult your local council for planning permission enquiries. 

 2. Embrace the Latest Design Trends

Have a clear vision. Do you want to lean into 2025’s patio trends with bright and bold colours? Or would you prefer a more timeless appeal? In this case, you’d be better off choosing natural materials like wood and stone. 

Consider functionality, too. Will this be a summer-only space, or could you add heaters for year-round usage? Address any maintenance concerns, like untrimmed trees and shrubs, and invest in more efficient tools for long-term management. For instance, cordless chainsaws to avoid the hassle of cords. 

 3. Incorporate Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Features

Sustainability is increasingly important to customers, so showcase your most eco-friendly features. Reclaimed wood is a valuable material to work with. It offers a distinctive, distressed aesthetic while offsetting waste through recycling. Solar-powered lighting is another great bet. Lower your own energy bill while presenting your business as eco-friendly and creating an appealing aesthetic. 

 4. Integrate Greenery and Privacy

Set in an overlooked area? Some privacy-screening greenery could be all you need to upgrade your outdoor seating area. Planters, weaving fast-growing plants through trellises, establishing hedges, or erecting living walls are all green-focused solutions. Having that sense of privacy creates an intimate and relaxing aesthetic. 

Embracing the demand for outdoor spaces is a smart move for any hospitality business. Follow any of these five hacks to upgrade your existing outdoor seating area.