Cast your mind back – if you’re old enough – to those long-ago times, way before the Covid-19 pandemic… And then further back still to the times before the 2007 ban on smoking in indoor public spaces was introduced… It’s quite amazing how the UK’s drinking and eating habits have changed: we’ve all become so much more accustomed to socialising outdoors – and not just at the height of Summer.
Of course, it was the smoking ban that first started the sprouting of larger, better equipped and often covered or semi-covered smoking areas. And you could say that the pandemic finished the job that smoking started by encouraging even more restaurants and pubs not just to cover their smoking areas but actually to set up a stretch tent bar or extended dining area.
Of course, they’re not all covered by stretch tents – just the best ones! And not only do they make Britain’s cities, towns, and villages look and feel a lot more stylish, interesting and welcoming – we think they represent a phenomenon that’s little short of a revolution in the hospitality industry. A bit over the top? Well, maybe a little – but it’s no exaggeration to say that the last few years have seen a radical change in the way the industry operates. And a big part of that is a new, more innovative and dynamic way of working in the face of an unprecedented cascade of challenges. One facet of that is making use of the incredible versatility of stretch tents – not just to create a stretch tent bar, but also to turn formerly unused outdoor areas into a comfortable and attractive space that makes money all year round.
It’s all about transforming urban spaces; about bringing dead space to vibrant, money-making life by embracing it in the welcoming curves of a stretch tent… The great thing is that stretch tents happily adapt to the trickiest, most awkwardly shaped sites. They’ll bend and stretch round corners, take steps and tiered, uneven terrain in their stride, and they even turn obstacles like trees, statues and outdoor furniture into features by bringing them inside. Freestanding or attached to permanent structures, their scope is limited only by your imagination, turning pathways and patios, driveways, car parks and rooftops into additional dining and drinking areas at a tiny fraction of the cost of a permanent extension. It’s not just the commercial hospitality industry that’s seeing outdoor space in this new and exciting light – many schools and colleges are using stretch tents to relieve overcrowding by creating inspiring new dining areas.
Stretch tent newbies often express a couple of concerns. One is that they’re classed as ‘semi-permanent or temporary structures’ – so they worry what happens when they’re not there! Well, of course you can hire a stretch tent for very short periods – just a day if you like – because they’re amazingly quick, easy, and economical to set up. On the other hand, you can rent long-term or buy your own bespoke stretch tent. The great thing about buying one (from us, anyway) is that we never just sell someone a stretch tent. Every one of our tents comes with a complete support package – and that includes installation and maintenance, as well as your first de-rig and first year’s secure storage. So if you choose not to keep your stretch tent working all year, we’ve got you fully covered.
The other issue people often raise is warmth – or lack of it. Perhaps it’s their wide-open, welcoming and very Summery vibe that suggests they’re less than cosy in the Autumn and Winter. In fact, our stretch tents are completely waterproof and, with added skirts, doorways, side panels and even heating, you can keep drinkers and diners cosy and comfortable regardless of the weather outside.
In short, for drinking, eating and any other kind of entertainment, stretch tents are a year-round asset for the hospitality industry!