THE 3 BIGGEST PROBLEM AREAS IN PUB MAINTENANCE
For generations, pubs, bars and restaurants have been at the heart of British social life. They’re where we gather for celebrations, commiserations, quiet pints with mates and rowdy nights that turn into stories. From lazy Sunday lunches to awkward first dates, they’ve seen it all and we keep coming back for more. In fact, a whopping 36% of British adults visit one of the countries pubs at least once a week, so it’s no surprise that the UK is home to the highest number of pubs in the world (over 50K in total).
Despite their popularity the average profit margin for a busy pub is a paltry 10-15%, so it’s no surprise that the industry only spends on average 1.5% of turnover on maintenance and repair. With maintenance budgets so tight it’s important to focus on the areas which customers value most. Surprisingly this is not beer selection, price or location but instead according to a recent study Good Food (80%), A Nice Pub Garden (64%) and A Good Atmosphere (60%).
In the article below, I will outline some of major property maintenance issues faced by the industry in these three areas and what can be done to prevent costly maintenance problems.
Kitchen:
With 80% of pubs now serving food and a whopping 80% of customers saying that food quality is their top priority it’s clear that the kitchen is now just as, if not more important as the bar. In fact, Brits eat over 1 billion meals in pubs each year, and food sales now account for around 37% of the average pub’s turnover. This means that any kitchen closures due to poor maintenance can have a much bigger than expected impact on profits.
Regular kitchen maintenance is key to your pubs success and can be broken down into the following areas:
Pest Control: Did you know a rat can squeeze through a hole no bigger than a 50p piece and can spread of 35 different diseases to humans. A vital part of keeping pests out of the kitchen, is limiting the ways they can get in – something we at AM Planned Maintenance are experts at.
Building Maintenance: Building maintenance isn’t just important for keeping pests at bay, but also making sure that your kitchen is easy to use, clean and a pleasant place to for your chefs to work. A poor state of repair is not only bad for hygiene but can have a huge impact on your kitchen staff, unhappy chefs don’t make tasty food.
Appliance Maintenance: From rationale ovens and fryers through to pot washes and sinks, these mission critical items are used daily and breakdowns can be costly. Regular servicing and proper use of these items is vital as well as quick reactive maintenance.
Drainage Maintenance: Whilst it’s a fact that everyone hates washing up, the potwash is one of the most overlooked but vital areas of your kitchen. Your kitchen pipes can take an absolute battering with grease, food particles napkins and other unwanted items often going down the drain. We recommend using a filter style plug and a regular pipe cleaning to prevent a build-up food and grease that can cause blockages.
Atmosphere:
A massive 60% of Brits say atmosphere is the most important thing they look for in a pub, and 64% say the pub garden matters most. Both rely heavily on the condition of the space itself. If your pub looks tired or things aren’t working as they should, customers will notice. That’s why swift reactive maintenance is so important when something breaks, whether it’s a faulty heater, a leaking roof, or broken garden furniture. Additionally, a strong routine of planned property maintenance helps prevent these problems in the first place. When it comes to a refresh/refurbishment, well-planned building work can breathe new life into your space and help create the kind of atmosphere that keeps people coming back.
Here are our suggestions for keeping the atmosphere warm, inviting and welcoming:
Exterior: The outside of your pub is very much your shop window, it sets that all important first impression for your customers – and you know what they say about first impressions.
Garden: Whilst English summers maybe short and often a bit soggy, us Brits do love a good pub garden with 64% of us stating this is the main thing we look for in a watering hole – so make sure yours is appealing, well maintained and most importantly inviting.
Interior: You’ve got the outside looking great, now make sure the inside delivers the same experience. A warm and welcoming atmosphere doesn’t stop at the front door. If the interior looks tired, uncomfortable or uncared for, customers will pick up on it straight away.
Toilets:
A 2018 study found that 40% of people rated pub and bar toilets as the worst in the country only train toilets scored lower! Regular cleaning (we recommend once per hour), a rigorous drainage maintenance schedule and a swift reactive maintenance to inevitable breakdowns are all vital to keeping your pub loos in tiptop condition. Here are some of the key maintenance issues your loo’s may face:
Blockages & Leaks: Unfortunately, blockages and leaks are all too common in pub toilets, whether it’s from overuse or patrons flushing things they really shouldn’t. Minor blockages can quickly escalate with dirty water to backing up causing flooding and bad smells, whilst leaks are not only unsightly and unhygienic, but will also cost you money. That’s why a proactive drainage maintenance plan is so important. Regular descaling, CCTV inspections, and routine checks help stop issues before they start, keeping everything flowing smoothly and your toilets clean, fresh and fully operational.
Damaged cubicles and conveniences: From “humorous” graffiti through to smashed mirrors and broken bowls, pub loo’s often take a real battering. It is important to fix broken items quickly, as customers will often equate unfixed damage to a lack of care and attention on your part, and not the actions of inebriated customers.
As you can see keeping a pub running smoothly isn’t just about a good selection of beer and how much it costs. The condition of your building and facilities plays a big role in customer experience and overall success. That’s why strong property maintenance is essential. It’s not only about preventing problems, but also about responding quickly when things go wrong. A smart approach combines planned maintenance with fast, reliable reactive maintenance.