Pubs are very much part of the local community, and whether you’ve bought a pub and need to renovate it, or it requires a much-needed update after years of ownership, pub interior fit-outs are great.
However, just like anything you spend your money on, interior fit-outs can easily go wrong. There are several key mistakes that you want to avoid so that you don’t waste your money and that you maximise the opportunities that come from giving your pub a facelift.
Key mistakes often revolve around inflexible layouts, poor lighting, and neglecting acoustics. The more mistakes you can avoid, the happier your pub guests will be when they step through those newly renovated doors.
What is a Pub Interior Fit Out?
A pub interior fit-out is the design, installation, and finishing of the internal space to make a pub look and feel more functional. It involves the installation of custom bars, seating, lighting, flooring, and durable materials that have been created specifically for brand identity.
Key components of a pub fit-out include:
- Bar and Back Bar Installation - Installing the main service counter, refrigeration, and shelving.
- Zoning and Layout - Configuring the space into zones and creating a functional flow within the layout of the pub.
- Joinery and Furniture - Custom-built seating, decorative timber work, and spacious tables.
- Decor and Lighting - Installing bespoke flooring, layered lighting, and wall finishes to create atmosphere.
- Back-of-House - Setting up kitchens and cellar equipment.
What are the Benefits of Interior Fit-Out Services for Pubs?
What are the benefits of interior fit-out services for pubs? Why choose this service when it comes to upgrading your pub’s interiors?
A significant boost in revenue
Investing in a professional interior fit-out can provide a great boost in revenue as it transforms a pub from a simple drinking hole to a high-performing business. By optimising the layout, fitouts are great for increasing seat capacity and helping create a more inviting atmosphere that extends the customer’s time in the pub.
Caters to various crowds
A well-zoned space can cater to various crowds, whether that’s someone enjoying a light meal over lunch or drinking with friends whilst doing a pub quiz.
Having bespoke bar designs and strategic floor plans helps staff movement and reduces service bottlenecks and wait times as a result. An ergonomic approach helps to improve the customer experience, but also is great for reducing staff fatigue and, ultimately, turnover of said staff.
Powerful marketing tool
A cohesive design reinforces your brand identity, and that’s important in a competitive market. The unique Instagrammable aesthetic serves as a powerful marketing tool that could really help rocket your business.
10 Pub Interior Mistakes to Avoid in Your Fit Out
To help avoid the same mistakes others have made in the past, here are ten pub interior mistakes to avoid when getting a fit-out for your pub.
Poor lighting design
When it comes to lighting design, you must get it right. Too harsh lighting can kill the atmosphere. Avoid cold or overly bright lights. Equally, you don’t want the lighting to be so dark that customers can’t see what they’re eating or even who they’re talking to.
Instead, make use of layered lighting with the help of dimmable sources from wall sconces and pendant lights. Always opt for accent lighting to help create a welcoming glow and to set the mood.
Ignoring acoustics and sound control
If the pub is echoing, then it’s going to create a lot of noise in the space, which can be distracting for some who are trying to listen to conversations. It can also often cause some customers to leave early as a result.
It’s a good idea to avoid excessive, hard surfaces like hardwood, glass, or metal. Instead, use sound-absorbing materials like carpets and thick curtains to help manage the noise a little better.
Sometimes noise is unavoidable, but it can be best managed when you consider the acoustics and what’s used within the space.
Ignoring vertical space
Vertical space is something that shouldn’t be ignored because there’s plenty of potential space there that could be utilised.
If you’re failing to decorate from the floor to the ceiling, then it can often make a space feel unfinished or smaller than it is. Make use of artwork, and source it locally where possible, and make use of high-level lighting fixtures that help draw the eye upward in order to enhance the room’s character.
Neglecting traffic flow and functional layouts
Creating a ‘canteen-like’ or cramped space is often what restricts the staff’s ability to move freely around the space and can also be frustrating to guests if they’re eating on top of one another.
You should ensure clear and unobstructed pathways are provided, particularly between the bar, entrance, and the restrooms, especially.
Using non-durable or low-quality materials
When you skimp on materials to save costs, it often results in higher maintenance and faster degradation, which ultimately needs fixing again down the line.
Pub fit-outs are great because they usually maximise high-durability materials due to the nature of pubs. Vinyl flooring and durable fabrics that can handle heavy traffic, spills, and constant cleaning are something to look for when it comes to picking out materials and designs.
Uncomfortable or inflexible seating
Customer experience matters, even in pub environments. Mismatched and uncomfortable chairs don’t do well when you’re trying to attract patrons to your doors.
A lack of diverse seating options will also make your guests leave sooner, so it’s best to invest in comfortable seating and provide a mixture of booths, tables, and lounge areas. That way, it gives plenty of choice to customers.
Poorly positioned and dimly lit bathrooms
Again, another element of lighting is its being poorly positioned in bathrooms. Equally, making those spaces too dim will make it less accessible for those who may need well-lit bathrooms.
Cluttering the space
Overcrowding with too many decorations can make the pub feel dusty and disorganised. It’s therefore useful to curate items that fit a clear theme.
If you’re doing too much in the space, then this is likely going to feel off-putting for your customers to sit in.
Ignoring the bar area
Ignoring the bar area is ignoring the focal point. You want it to be central to your design, and if it’s poorly designed, then it can reduce service speed and revenue.
You should ensure that the bartender station is highly functional and provides easy access to equipment to minimise movement.
Designing only for trends
Overly trendy designs become dated easily, so it’s best to focus on timeless and authentic designs for your pub environment that age well.
These pub interior mistakes are easy enough to avoid when it comes to improving your venue with a fitout.
