It is profoundly sad that the hospitality industry has suffered so much thanks to the impact of the Covid19 pandemic. The great British pub has played a significant part in our day to day lives and throughout our history. Indeed, the industry is set to go through many more challenges and changes yet which will in time become part of our future “new normal”.
The pub is very much at the heart of our unique history but it may surprise you to know that it originated from the Roman invasion. The Roman Army introduced shops that sold wine (tabernae) so their soldiers could quench their thirst as they moved through our towns and villages whilst building roads. The business model soon expanded to also offer the favourite local tipple – ale. These tabernae soon became known as taverns.
Over the centuries, the taverns and alehouses survived, adapted and thrived to meet the needs of their changing custom including through the times of the Saxons and Vikings. Edgar, an Anglo-Saxon King, was possibly the first to introduce drinking measures (referred to as ‘the peg’) and the control of alcohol consumption in 970 AD. Food and drink became the normal offering for taverns and alehouses whilst inns also offered accommodation for travellers such as merchants and religious pilgrims.
Letting the public know that wine was available for sale made way for the early pub sign which began with hanging vine leaves outside. This became the customary method to advertise that they sold wine within. However, small evergreen bushes were often used instead of the vines due to the British climate. Alehouses hung poles or ale stakes outside to show they sold ales. The bush and pole would be hung together outside to indicate where both food and drink were offered.
Pub Names to Assist the Official Ale Taster
By the 12th century, pubs had names and this accelerated the introduction of real pub signs to assist the largely illiterate population in identifying specific pubs. (It was easier to understand “let’s meet at the sign of the red lion” rather than “let’s meet at The Red Lion”.)
But it was King Richard II who made it law for all pubs and inns to have a pub sign in 1393 to identify them to the official Ale Taster. From then on all signs for inns and pubs reflected current British life including famous people, Royalty, sport, events and industrial changes.
There are many interesting stories behind the evolution of pubs and pub signage. For example, many quiz trivia buffs will tell you that the most popular name for a pub is ‘The Red Lion’. The fact that The Red Lion was used as a pub name was a direct result of King James I and VI of Scotland ordering the red lion of Scotland to be displayed on all significant buildings including public houses.
The Pub is Where We Celebrate Life
The hospitality sector has adapted through the centuries so that they may survive and thrive. Throughout all these changes the pub has remained at the heart of our communities. It is in the pub, after all, where that the major life milestones – such as births, deaths and marriages – have been duly celebrated time after time.
These are the places we love to go to meet new friends and old, share our trials and triumphs, put the world to rights, have a good gossip as well as be on the look out for our future life partners. In short we socialise, build community and yes we even do business in the local pub. All this has sprung from the humble ale shop in Roman times!
Today's Hospitality Industry Offers a Great Choice in Venues
The 21st century hospitality industry boasts a variety of different types of venues (ie pubs, restaurants, hotels, social clubs, village halls) including highly unique style venues such as permanently moored boats.
Each hospitality business will offer drink and the vast majority will also offer food with it; some will be light bar meals whilst others will offer the full three course fine dining experience and everything in between. The various business models then go off in any number of different directions to appeal to different customer needs and preferences.
To this day, a visit to the pub is often a weekly feature on our social calendars whilst a luxury hotel will be reserved for special occasions. Some venues will offer entertainment in the form of traditional pub games, although this is no longer as popular as it once was. Traditional pub games have now been overtaken by the weekly quiz, karaoke and live music events. Indoor and outdoor children’s play areas can also be a major attraction in some venues.
With the introduction of huge flat screen TVs major sports events have become a key attraction and thus a good many sports bars have emerged. Others allow clubs and groups of people with common interests to meet there (ie gardening clubs and jamming sessions for budding musicians etc).
The Pub Sign Welcomes You In
In 2021 the hospitality industry is clearly facing unprecedented challenges thanks to Covid-19. This means pub operators must think outside the box and diversify in new ways to ensure they survive to serve future generations. Remodelling with the future in mind is all part of keeping the business moving. Standing still is not an option if our much loved watering holes are to survive. The first thing to do is to see Covid19 restrictions as a golden opportunity to review, streamline, develop new ideas, work smarter, refresh and revamp.
The pub sign welcomes you in to any hospitality venue. It is a critical part of the business getting noticed and drawing in new and existing custom. A good pub sign will convey a personality which reflects the business brand and the standard of the signage will tell anyone who sees it that:
- The pub is open, warm and inviting to offer you its hospitality; and
- Whether the venue is well cared for and well maintained by its operators.
The hospitality sector has adapted through the centuries so that they may survive and thrive. Throughout all these changes the pub has remained at the heart of our communities. It is in the pub, after all, where that the major life milestones – such as births, deaths and marriages – have been duly celebrated time after time.
These are the places we love to go to meet new friends and old, share our trials and triumphs, put the world to rights, have a good gossip as well as be on the look out for our future life partners. In short we socialise, build community and yes we even do business in the local pub. All this has sprung from the humble ale shop in Roman times!
Popular Pub Signage Trends For 2021
The most popular pub signage trends for 2021 include:
- Traditional Wooden Sign Boards – exactly like they used to be in the good old days outside the traditional style boozer post WW2 and pre 2003 licencing laws.
- LED Signs and 3D Letters – a modern look and feel that cannot be beaten. Our 3D letters can be created using high quality sheet materials, natural or polished to enhance impact and style. Personal touches are possible ie high end specialist effect plus wet spray painted or powder coated to match your brand colours. Add some LED illumination too and a wide range of unique and eye-catching looks can be created.
- Projection Signs and Sign Trays – be confident you, your staff, customers and the general public are safe from harm with approved projection signage fully certified to CE BSEN 1090-2 standards.
- Hand Painted Signs – we take great care and attention when hand painting signs.
- Neon Signs – custom made neon signs can draw the eye very effectively. Why not consider this approach to promote a regular event such as “LIVE MUSIC”?
- Internal Wall Mural Graphics – a visual way to inform and direct attention throughout the interior.
Taking into account the extensive history of the pub, it is not hard to see that we can expect them to evolve through and beyond Covid19 challenges. Those that seize the opportunity to adapt can, and will, come out the other side to remain a significant social hub in our communities catering for all generations whilst they adapt to the demands of modern dining and drinking experiences.
We, as a signage business, are keen to do what we can to help as many hospitality businesses fight back as possible. That is why we are offering all hospitality venues an exclusive deal (terms and conditions apply) when placing an order with us for signage:
- FREE Survey
- FREE Design Package
- FREE Promotional Printed Banner
