A warm welcome, a drink and a bite to eat is what we’ve come to expect from these familiar landmarks, distributed throughout every city, town and village in the UK. Our role is to design and install kitchens that strengthen their cooking potential while maximising customer appeal.
We have been installing kitchens across every arm of the licensed trade for more than 40 years and our legacy and portfolio speak for themselves.
A kitchen for any menu
The importance of providing an enticing food offering in pubs, bars and clubs is clear. As well as generating a welcome income stream, good food helps to attract customers and ensure they return. Of course, the type and style of food served will vary considerably across the diverse array of venues and will range from simple bar snacks to gourmet meals and, in some cases, to fully catered functions. We’re here to help make sure that, whatever route you’ve chosen, you have a kitchen that will fulfil your menus perfectly and efficiently and, importantly, enable you to adapt them in the future.
WE DESIGN LAYOUTS THAT ACCOMMODATE ALL THE EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED
WE CALCULATE WORKFLOWS THAT INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY
WE UTILISE EQUIPMENT THAT ENSURES ONGOING CONSISTENCY AND VERSATILITY
WE HELP COUNTLESS PUBS, BARS AND CLUBS ACHIEVE THEIR FOODSERVICE GOALS
A safe and efficient design
Our mission is to design kitchens that are super safe and efficient. We consider how the kitchen will be used and who will be using it. We’ll look at how food comes into the kitchen, where it’s stored, prepared and cooked and how it leaves the kitchen to be served. Then we consider how used dishes are returned to the dishwash area to be processed, ready for service. In short, we create zones and stations which bring a logical structure to the kitchen, and which enhance the working environment and improve the overall journey of production
Versatile design solutions
Over five decades, we’ve designed and installed thousands of kitchens, including many that are located within very challenging locations and spaces. Through these experiences, we’ve accumulated a wealth of strategies to cope with just about any issue. Some of the more common problems we’ve encountered include kitchens that are a considerable distance from the dining area, kitchens that have very limited space for equipment, and kitchens with complex ventilation routes. Essentially, whatever the situation, we have the experience, skill and know-how to find effective solutions for the most problematic challenges.
SMART EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION PAVES THE WAY FOR MENU INNOVATION TO KEEP PACE WITH AN EVER-CHANGING CONSUMER LANDSCAPE
SETTING THE
BAR HIGH
For most people, that all-important first impression of a pub is created at the bar. So, it’s important that you focus on the image you’re projecting. Display your drinks selection attractively, check that ice and condiments are always on hand and be certain that your glassware – the right glass can actually enhance the taste, aroma, and overall enjoyment of a drink – is perfectly clean, cool and immaculately presented. Our streamlined backbar solutions start with a simple glasswashing station and extend to entire, multi-station underbar fit-outs that make a very real difference to efficiency and productivity and have helped several thousands pubs and bars deliver a polished and welcoming service.
STICK, TWIST OR BUST?
Much is being reported about the decline of the licence trade with ever more pubs calling ‘last orders’ for a final time. In fact, over 500 pubs shut down in 2023 with a further 50 per month closing through 2024. Many of these closures have been small, independent pubs, while the larger chains (with one of the main casualties being JD Wetherspoon) are opting to consolidate their businesses around their larger venues.
But it’s by no means all doom and gloom. Beyond the current downward spiral, which began long before the pandemic struck, and is now fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis and changing consumer habits, there are many success stories. What has become apparent is that brilliantly managed pubs, focused on providing customers with an outstanding experience, are actively thriving and seemingly unaffected by the downturn. So, what sets them apart?
These are the pubs that are embracing a brighter future by making sure their well-researched menus keep regular customers returning while simultaneously attracting new visitors. Various surveys suggest that to achieve a healthy level of patronage you must offer excellent food, delivered within a professional and friendly environment but, of course, the successful publicans are already well aware of this. And, to reinforce this reasoning, our pub kitchen sales have risen steadily over this seemingly bleak period which confirms the fact that forward-thinking publicans are finding ways to diversify and stand out from the crowd.
After all, eating out continues to be an integral part of many people’s lives, and the demand for inspiring menus and skilfully cooked fresh food remains, arguably, even more compelling than before the downturn with consumers viewing dining out as a non-negotiable luxury or treat. Therefore, it’s vital to respond and offer your clientele the fabulous food they’re looking for, backed by an efficient, friendly service and, of course, not forgetting to provide an enticing selection of wines, locally brewed ales, modern craft beers and premium spirits.
That’s where we come in, because by investing in the right equipment, by recruiting a decent team of chefs who care about their food, and by offering a menu designed to wow your clientele into frequenting your warm and welcoming ambiance you will, hopefully, be so busy you’ll be turning customers away! And, of course, your future will be looking a great deal brighter than those nondescript ‘managed’ pubs still serving microwaved freezer food and stale ploughman’s lunches.
We’re here to help whenever you’re ready. And we’re looking forward to toasting your imminent success.
FUTURE-PROOFING YOUR BUSINESS
A new kitchen is a big step, but the rewards it can reap are immeasurable. And, with smart, energy efficient equipment and a well-planned layout that maximises productivity, you’ll be sure to be on top of your game. After all, the ability to provide customers with the food they want is what keeps an establishment relevant because good food will always be a draw – as long as it’s done well! So, it’s worth making sure you have a kitchen that’s up to the job of keeping customers happy and ensuring those great reviews keep flooding in.
LET’S CLEAR
THE AIR!
Old pubs have much to offer. Their unique characters and cosy, quirky interiors are undoubtedly a draw for many. However, the flipside is that they weren’t designed to meet current day building criteria. To compound things further, existing ductwork, fans and canopies are often compromised by many years’ worth of relentless use, lack of cleaning and botched repairs. This means that ventilation systems inherited from previous occupancies will almost certainly fall short of today’s minimum requirements. However, despite the many potential challenges, we’ve worked with countless pubs with seemingly impossible layouts – and, without fail, have always found a viable solution to get them cooking safely and legally!
HOW WE WORK
We’ve worked on 100s of licensed premises, successfully delivering the kitchen and bar solutions they dreamt of. So, whether you’re refurbishing a quintessentially British inn or planning to open a cutting-edge city bar, do get in touch. Our thorough, seven stage process, ensures that every customer’s ideas are fully explored and that every detail is considered.
GOOD FOOD, COOKED PERFECTLY WILL ALWAYS ATTRACT CUSTOMERS AND WE’RE HERE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A KITCHEN THAT’S UP TO THE JOB. CHEERS!
Our experienced design team always listens to what our clients require and then interprets those ideas into the best possible solutions with the most appropriate equipment within the budget available.
Below are a few examples of who we’ve helped:
Grand Junction Arms
The Pembury Tavern
Fox & Pheasant
The Palmerston
The White Horse
The Earl Spencer
The Boot & Flogger
Lowlander
The Gun
The Pig & Whistle
Coach Makers
Please get in touch with us
Whether you’re in the earliest stages of planning or whether you have a site that’s ready to go, it’s never too early to involve us. We can advise and assist you at every stage so let’s start the conversation today.
