Absolute Pubs bets against continued good weather
Multiple pub operator Absolute Pubs has decided to bring forward work to "weatherproof" the garden of one of its pubs, deciding that the recent break in the poor weather won't last.
Absolute had planned to leave the £75,000 project to upgrade the outside area at the Bell Inn at Hampton in Middlesex until October, but the dire weather has caused a rethink.
The firm, which has a total of four pubs will now extend the covered trading area, as well as installing additional umbrellas, outdoor heating and landscapting at the Bell Inn from August. The porject will also see the outdoor area extended into a section of the pub's car park, with the enlarged area providing space for 120 customers outside.
Absolute director Simon Bailey said: "Like most pub operators, we'd been hoping for a good summer to encourage customers to eat and drink outdoors. We'd originally scheduled the outdoor building work for October, so it wouldn't disrupt outdoor trade.
"The Bell is in a fantastic location overlooking the Thames and when the sun shines our outdoor area is very busy. However, this year the weather just hasn't done us any favours and of course, there hasn't been as much leisure traffic on the river either. We've been busy, but customers have been staying inside the pub, which limits the numbers we can serve.
"We now plan to complete the outside work before the end of August, so customers will have a chance to enjoy some al fresco food and drink at the Bell this summer, whatever the weather has in store.
"Of course, as soon as we raise the first new umbrella, it's inevitable we'll get a heatwave."
Absolute's other pub sites are the Kings Arms at Hampton Court, the Waggon & Horses, Surbiton, and the Flower Pot, Lower Sunbury.
By Neil Gerrard
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