Picnic Benches in Catering

What is a Picnic Bench?

A picnic bench is a modified picnic table with bench seating. Generally found outdoors, these are suitable for most typical pub or casual restaurant gardens. Picnic benches can also be used indoors and are popular in venues with canteen-style seating.

No matter where you decide to place your picnic bench, it’s a great piece of furniture for creating additional informal seating. If used outdoors, a picnic bench can quickly help entice business by showing seating availability.

What To Look For When Buying A Picnic Bench

Looking at price is definitely important when you’re buying a picnic bench - although it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. There are many other considerations you should think about which can make a very big difference in the long run. Keep in mind your priorities. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the right product for your business.

• Durability and Maintenance

  A long-lasting picnic bench that requires little upkeep will save you time and money in the long term as you won’t need to spend as much time cleaning or looking for a replacement. However, even the most durable picnic bench will require occasional maintenance.
  
  For example, a pre-treated wooden bench would require a layer of teak oil to be applied to the wood every two to three months to significantly extend the life of the bench. Food safe wood oil is recommended for wood picnic benches which come into close contact with food.

• Material

  Picnic benches are available in wood, metal or heavy duty plastic.

  Wood: Wood is the most popular material for picnic benches as it's the perfect combination of cost, durability and appearance. The majority of wooden picnic benches are pressure treated for resistance against UV damage and wood rot. A chemical solution is soaked into the wood which ensures it’s fully sealed. This protection can easily be maintained with wooden furniture oil.
  
  Natural wood is a beautiful texture for a picnic bench, which blends easily with existing outdoor wooden furniture. A wooden bench can range in appearance depending on the wood, from golden teak to dark or light green timber wood.
  
  Metal: Steel frames for picnic benches are incredibly robust and have a long lifespan. This means low maintenance and great durability through almost all weather conditions. Bolero picnic benches are particularly popular for this, as their galvanised steel frames use a rust-resistant zinc coating.
  
  Plastic: Plastic picnic benches are a fantastic lightweight alternative to heavier wooden or metal picnic benches, making them ideal for easy positioning. They are especially helpful when you need to constantly move your picnic benches or reorganise seating at events. Many plastic benches are also have a foldable - perfect for saving space during transit or storage.
• Comfort

  Comfort in a picnic bench is key to keeping customers at your venue. It shows them you have proactively considered their needs and want them to enjoy their stay with you. Generally, the longer a customer stays with you, the more likely they are to spend.
  
  Comfort is usually defined by the amount of leg space combined with the material of the bench. However, it's important to note that different customers have different needs. Customers with children who need high chairs, or users with wheelchairs may prefer to sit at picnic benches with open side entrances - much more accessible. For taller customers, closed side picnic benches can be tricky to get in and out of - making walk-in picnic benches a much friendlier choice.

  TIP: Open sided benches make access much easier. As the connecting planks are at the base of the bench, users can easily step over the connections, making this type of bench much more suitable for users with mobility concerns.

• Weight

  How heavy you want your picnic bench to be will depend on its purpose. If you plan to move it from venue to venue, a lightweight, folding bench is a great choice. However, in more permanent positions, a large, heavy option may be more durable in the long term.

• Capacity

  This graphic shows you the capacity of each type of picnic bench. It’s useful to have a mixture of small and large benches to accommodate for different group sizes

  

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of picnic benches?

Picnic benches come in a huge variety of styles and shapes, although they are generally grouped into their shape. Rectangular, round and square table top benches are all available, in sizes varying from 4 foot (122 cm) to 8 foot (244 cm).

Is there any difference between round and square picnic benches?

The symmetry of square picnic tables helps you plan out a tidy, well designed seating area. Due to their shape, you can make the most of corners and every available inch of space you have in your venue. Round tables are considered more accessible. For group dining, fewer pointed edges make it easier for food to be passed around the table - ideal for casual al fresco dining where food is frequently shared.

What is a walk in picnic bench?

Walk in picnic benches boast the benefit of an open sided entrance. Whilst this is a small design change, the difference in accessibility is much more straightforward. This makes walk in picnic benches a preferable choice for fast casual dining businesses such as canteens or outdoor street food markets, as customers in a rush can come and go quickly. The slight design change also makes walk in picnic benches marginally more stable.

Like a traditional pub picnic bench, walk in benches have a wide rectangular table top. This means it can be easily smartened up with a table cloth, rectangular banquet rolls or table runners. For a centre piece, use florals in a vase or candles.

Which accessories will I need for my picnic bench?

Parasols and Parasol Bases

To spruce up your pub garden or restaurant terrace a parasol is a great idea. It creates shade and shelter through most weather conditions, so your outdoor picnic benches can also double up as a smoker’s area in the winter time. Don’t forget a parasol base, too.

Patio Heaters

Choose from table top or full standing patio heaters to keep your guests warm on colder nights. Table top heaters provide close, instant heat that keeps guests cosy, with a low heat light to create a relaxed ambiance. Full size patio heaters are ideal for heating up large spaces.

Cigarette Bins & Ash Trays

Cigarette bins help you avoid litter when picnic benches are used as part of a smoking area. Help customers keep your outdoor areas clean and tidy by providing ash trays and conveniently-placed cigarette bins.