STUDIES show that the design and architecture of a venue serving food and drink is a major factor that influences customer satisfaction. To stand out in this crowded industry operators have to provide not only great food and service but also a unique environment.
Customers’ decisions on what they purchase, how long they stay and whether to return to the venue can be cleverly engineered by a good architecture and design team.
“As specialist designers and architects for the hospitality industry, it is our business to ensure that we are up to date with current food and drink and design trends and also think ahead of the game,” said Abi Perry-Jones, Creative Director at Jones architecture + design. However, to Jones AD, interior design is also about ensuring that every part of the space inside and out works efficiently from an operational and customer perspective.
“The space should just feel right. Our challenge is to design a space that has an atmosphere even when there is no-one in it.
Abi shares some Top Tips for anyone planning to refurbish or develop a new food/ drink venue:
– A sense of arrival – first impressions are vital, starting from from the exterior.
– Know your customers – base your design on what would appeal to your customers rather than on your personal taste.
– Don’t cut and paste ideas that you have seen elsewhere – it is vital that any design elements are relevant to your operation and are based on a consistent theme.
– Avoid gimmicks but be clear about the brand personality – an interior that creates a genuinely different experience has a broader appeal that can fill the generation gap.
– Get the flow right – walk the customer journey and understand how the atmosphere from every seat in the house changes from day to night.
– Consider the detail – even the feel of a door handle and the entrance matt that marks the first step into the restaurant are vital.
Wayne Jones, Managing Director, added: “We are really passionate about our work in the food and drink industry. We pride ourselves in delivering unique venues which will generate a memorable experience and which will stand apart from others in the field. Our business is all about working with our clients to understand their business and work with them to achieve results.