Punch invests £1m in outdoor spaces

A £1m outdoor investment scheme has been launched by Punch Pubs & Co to support its pubs in preparing for outdoor reopening in April.

Dubbed 'Inside|Outside', the investment programme is specifically designed to help Punch pubs maximise the opportunity of trading safely outside from 12 April, while complying with government guidance. 

The investment will allow many pubs to provide service outdoors, including plenty that previously would have not had the capacity. It means that 662 (72%) Punch pubs in England will be set to welcome guests back to their local next month.

Punch and its publicans have been working in tandem to create solutions such as new furniture, stretch tents, festoon lighting, huts and outdoor heating. The scheme has already seen hundreds of projects completed across the country, with many more currently underway.

"Working together with hundreds of our publicans, we have breathed new life into many of our pub gardens and outdoor spaces, creating safe, warm and welcome environments to give our guests fantastic experiences when we reopen and for the future," says Andy Spencer, managing director of Punch. "Like all of our publicans able to reopen, we are excited to welcome our customers back in April. However, it remains vitally important to remember that pubs will be operating at a significantly reduced capacity. We need restrictions to continue to be relaxed during the reopening period to ensure the long-term survival of the Great British pub."