With recent reports stating that 80% of holidaymakers would rather take a holiday in the UK rather than abroad, and Visit Britain predicting domestic tourism to increase by 79%, now is the perfect time to get venues ready for ‘staycations’.
When undergoing a refurbishment for holiday lodge accommodations, caravan parks, hotels, or any other kind of short-break venue, it is important to consider the long-lasting impact Covid-19 will have on public spaces. Protocol have highlighted below some examples of how choosing the right contract furniture can play an important role in preparing venues and ensuring holidaymakers feel safe.
Re-configure reception areas
The central point and where first impressions are made is the reception area/lobby. This is often busy and overcrowded (especially at peak times), so ensuring interactions are safe and less stressful should be a high priority. When deciding on furniture for these areas, flexible seating options such as private pods, modular sofas, high back lounge chairs and back-to-back layouts are a great way to improve flow and help limit contact. Poufs are also specified for these areas as they can be moved around easily.
Consider social distancing measures
Social distancing will be the new norm for the foreseeable future, so venues will need to plan their layouts and furniture choices to ensure they are following regulations. For venues with bars and dining areas, furniture options including booth seating, bar stools and poseur tables to add in different levels, and dining chairs and tables featuring slim designs are great for utilizing space.
There are also a variety of specially designed products available including screens and dividers that advocate social distancing, control safety parameters, and fit in nicely with different designs. These practical solutions can create private zones and seclude busy areas, allowing you to keep capacity as close to full as possible.
Choose fabrics wisely
Finishing touches can make all the difference when it comes to contract furniture.
When choosing upholstery for seating options, both safety and aesthetics are important. Quality fabrics will be resistant to every-day use, abrasions, and discolorations and therefore will not need to be replaced as often. Consider using a combination of two upholsteries; faux leather for the inner layers (seat) as it is low maintenance and easy to clean, and a decorative fabric for the outer layout (seat back).
Many upholstery suppliers including Panaz, Agua and Sunbury Design have also launched new collections and treatments with antimicrobial properties. Antimicrobial fabrics are fibre based substrates to which antimicrobial agents have been applied at the surface, or incorporated into the fabrics, rendering a product that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms. Choosing these upholstery and finishes will give guests extra piece of mind that they are visiting safe environments.
Make sure outdoor areas are fit for purpose
Guests are still looking for a high-quality experience, so whether you require furniture for outdoor lodges and accommodation terraces, or for an outdoor area of a restaurant, furniture should be of a contract grade and provide comfort for guests.
Materials such as polypropylene and metal are popular for outdoor chairs and tables as they are durable, easy to clean and expertly designed to withstand the weather all year round. Many of these models are also lightweight and stackable which is beneficial for when they are not in use. Side and coffee tables that are easy to move around offer flexibility to outdoor layouts and even feature detachable tray tops which is ideal for restaurant staff when serving guests. Handwoven rope outdoor furniture has also become popular over the last few years and can make outdoor spaces feel more luxurious as well as being trendy.
This year, many outdoor areas will benefit from sun loungers, parasols, screens and dividers and climate-controlled heated areas.
Give guests something to remember
Quirky interior and furniture that is ‘instagrammable’ can leave lasting impressions and help increase a venues online exposure. Protocol recently supplied furniture for the ‘secret garden’ at the Doubletree by Hilton Bath Hotel. The unique décor, lighting and flooring combined with the striking Chips lounge chair and Sienna armchair has no doubt created a new spot for ‘instagrammable’ photos! Another great example is the large holiday resort Butlins’ famous gigantic deck chair which thousands of holidaymakers take photos on and share to social media.
Protocol is pleased to have worked on several projects within the leisure and hospitality sector, including Formby Hall Spa, Reighton Sands Holiday Park, Doubletree by Hilton Bath, Holiday Inn Bournemouth, National Trust Fountains Abbey, Away Resorts Tattershall Lakes, Leisure Resorts and many more. Plan your visits this summer to these beautiful venues.
For more information or if you require assistance in choosing furniture collections, please contact us on +44 (0)20 8591 6770 or email [email protected].
