Clean as a whistle

With warmer days on their way and spring having sprung it’s time to get your venue spick and span and ready for the rush

A clean, hygienic and welcoming venue is key, no matter what type of outlet you work in. First impressions count and people choose where to eat and drink by how clean and appetising a place looks.

Covid rules and regulations should mean your venue is in tip-top condition and clean from top to bottom but check regularly so customers feel safe and comfortable and eager to return.

First glance

The outside of your venue and signage is the first impression people get, so it needs to be a positive one.

A clean and well-swept frontage with no sign of peeling paint or weeds is the look you need to go for. If you can, pop a few containers of brightly coloured plants outside to catch attention – pansies and violas make a pretty and cheap combo or just a simple tub of primulas and they’ll keep on flowering for weeks and weeks.

Dazzling display

Keep the good vibes going as customers step through the door. Do regular checks throughout the day that floors are swept free of dropped food and spills, make sure glass doors, windows and display cabinets are sparkling, fridges and chillers are gleaming, furniture is in good condition and any repairs made, decorations are dusted, cushions, seat covers and curtains or blinds are washed and clean and that there’s not a cobweb in sight.

Wipe down your coffee and drinks machines, clean containers and trays and any bottles out on display, and ensure work and serving surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.

If you have sanitising stations, check these are clean and filled up too.

The little room

It’s a well-known fact that the state of the toilets gives a good indication of what the cleanliness of the venue as a whole is. So spotless toilets are essential to keep customers coming back. Having a checklist with date and time and jobs done is useful to keep on top of it. And make sure toilet roll and hand towels are fully stocked.

At the heart

The kitchen is the heart of your business, so empty and clean out fridges and freezers, deep-clean fryers, ovens, grills and hobs, scrub out the cupboards and do a stock check on use-by dates. Give appliances a service and pull everything possible out so you can clean behind, under and on top of everything.

Garden days

If you have a garden, patio or outside dining space, this needs a spruce up too. Get any outdoor furniture out of storage and hose it down. Mow grass and weed beds and borders. Jet wash any decking areas and make sure outside flooring is secure to avoid any trips, slips or falls.

Out back

It may not seem important to keep back-of-house areas clean and tidy too but it is. Staff want to work in a clean environment, plus rubbish left lying around at the rear of your building can attract vermin, and poses a fire risk.

What state are your bins in? Get the hose out and give them a good clean, or find a professional cleaning company to do it for you.

Top tip

SPEND TIME IN YOUR CUSTOMERS’ SHOES – TAKE A SEAT AND LOOK AROUND. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT NEEDS CLEANING, REPAIRING OR REPLACING?