Five Tips on how to Maximise your Coronation Weekend

The coronation of King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6^th May. As the first coronation since the late Queen’s in 1953, the weekend is set to be a busy one.

Pubs, clubs and bars across England and Wales will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on Friday (5^th May) and Saturday (6^th May) and with the expected influx of enthusiastic tourists, it is estimated that pubs alone could see profits of £120 million. In fact, UK Hospitality believe that thanks to the Coronation, along with Eurovision which starts next week and the remaining bank holidays in May, the hospitality sector could be in for a staggering £1 billion boost throughout the month.

As the country comes together to celebrate the King (and enjoy another three day weekend), food and drink will be an integral part of those festivities. That being said, it’s not only sausage rolls and party rings that those preparing for street parties and their own private celebrations are willing to purchase. Collection and delivery orders are likely to increase in popularity as people focus on spending more time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen. Moreover, despite the predicted rain, consumers will be attending public events across the country, eager to purchase food and drink from vendors as they enjoy the day.

It can be daunting to know how to engage with events such as this without incurring unnecessary costs. For many people, this will be the first coronation of their lifetime which in and of itself is a momentous occasion. Finding ways to entice customers will help independent food and drink business to maximise their profits over the weekend. We’ve come up with five top tips on how you can make the most out of the Coronation weekend without breaking the bank!

Rename something on your menu:

It might be tempting to create something especially for the Coronation and if that is within your means, go wild! Nevertheless, renaming something on your menu for the weekend is an easy way to engage with this timely event without having to create a new dish. Do customers usually love your chicken wings? Then your Coronation chicken wings with a special (but easy to make) coronation sauce on the side are sure to be a winner.

Give the people what they actually want:

The Coronation is likely to dominate television over the weekend. Bricks and mortar businesses are perfectly poised to show the Coronation and display it for enthusiastic customers. Showing the Coronation can create a great sense of community for some, however, others may actively want to avoid anything coronation related. Stand out from the crowd by showing something different and in so doing making your business a viable option for those who want to see what else is on the telly.

Engage with the hype:

The expected influx of tourists is the perfect opportunity to make a lasting impression for your business. Hosting a small competition where the winner can ‘Eat Like a King’ for the day at your business is not only topical, but invites consumers (even those who don’t win) to come back and see just how one could eat like a King at your establishment. The raffle could be free and the prize therefore reflective of the most economical option or entry could be charged with proceeds going to charity or back into the business.

Think of the children:

If your premises is child friendly or you are catering at an event that is likely to have children there, find a way to engage with them. Their parents will thank you and it’s a nice way to involve them in the festivities. The government have created a free toolkit which includes several Coronation themed activities that you can easily print off and hand out for the kids to enjoy.

Look the part:

Just like any sporting event, occasions such as this tend to bring out the patriotism in us all. If you’ve still got some bunting or flags knocking around from the World Cup now time is the perfect time to dust them off and repurpose them.

Though the Coronation, Eurovision and two remaining bank holidays in May are expected to bring a much needed boost to the industry, it goes without saying that the industry is still facing difficulties. This month may be a source of much needed income, but it does not negate the continuing struggles of so many within hospitality. As such, it is important for businesses to engage with events such as these in a cost effective way. In so doing, independent food and drink businesses can reconnect with existing customers, entice new customers and create a lasting impression of their business for the year ahead.

Keep an eye out for other useful tips and tricks here.