Cold weather doesn’t stop customers from coming through the doors, in some cases it can drive your business with customers looking for home comforts whilst out on the cold, dark and dingy streets of Great Britain.

Have you had an audit of your winter practices? The colder weather is likely to see tastes and habits change in both your customers and, of course, your business.

Here’s a few top tips on how to get set for winter…

The menu

One of the most efficient methods of getting set for the cold-snap is to take a good look at what you are serving.

Of course seasonal summer produce is likely to be in short supply, although the usage of quality frozen produce negates this in most cases, autumn/winter harvests will see hearty vegetables and iconic fruits adorning the shelves of your suppliers.

It’s imortant to consider that the weather will also have an effect on customer tastes, once the temperature starts to drop, it’s highly unlikely that salads and cold-serve dishes will be ordered as frequently.

Rich, hearty and, most importantly, warm dishes will be the order of the day. Soups, roasts, hot sandwiches and more hot dishes will be desired, as customers seek something warming. Comfort foods are likely to be desired much more than at any other time of the year.

Think about adding classic desserts to your menu, ice cream is likely to be shunned in favour of apple pies, hot fudge cake and more hot, rich sweet treats. If you don’t already offer hot drinks, now is the perfect time to add them to your options.

Who doesn’t love a coffee or hot chocolate when they’ve just come in from the freezing cold.

It’s about finding a balance in your menu that doesn’t completely change the identity of your establishment.

The decor

Cold is synonymous with discomfort, so make sure that the inside of your restaurant, cafe, pub, bar or club is enticing.

Make sure that any of your existing furniture is in the best of condition, or comfortable for guests to use. Consider replacing any hard wood chairs with more comfortable options, or even just add a covering that prevents customers from getting cold when sat for an extended period of time.

Unfortunately the weather is going to turn wet, windy and possibly even snowy, that means that people could bring lots of moisture into your pub, bar, cafe, restaurant and more.

A large, high-quality mat will be a godsend during the winter period, and a dedicated coat rack or coat hooks will keep this slippery hazard away from the main areas of your establishment.

Not only will the weather change, the amount of daylight we are privy to has decreased dramatically, therefore lighting is going to be one of the best ways to entice those customers into your business.

Soft lighting is a much better option that harsh bright lights, experiment with what you feel is best for your business with light fittings, brightness and more.

A roaring fire is, of course, an iconic winter scene-setter. It’s not always viable to add a fire to your establishment, but it’s worth considering the outside areas.

Infrared heat lamps are great for outdoor seating areas, as those guests who do happen to smoke, will want to do so in comfort.

Remember customers want comfort food as well as comfortable surroundings to enjoy themselves. Use that to your advantage!

The opening hours

It might be worthwhile revisiting your businesses actual opening hours, dark nights and bad weather make it a different prospect entirely for many people venturing out for lunch, a drink, evening meal or more.

Adverse weather in specific areas may cause sudden closures, and it might even be worthwhile considering whether it’s financially viable to open as a result.

Opening earlier and therefore closing earlier could be an option, but this is something that needs to be analysed to find out what works best for your business. Regardless this is something definitely worth considering.