News & Media

Scratches are inevitable on any wooden table top, but they can be a particular issue in hospitality settings where heavy use by people who may not treat the furniture with the same degree of care as they would their own, takes its toll.

Although scratches can be dismissed as mere cosmetic damage, letting marks build up on your wooden tables will quickly create the impression of a lack of care and even cleanliness which may put customers off, so it’s important to deal with them as they arise.

The good news is that dealing with scratches is not usually as difficult or expensive as many people think.

Prevention is better than cure

Although scratches are bound to happen, it’s important to choose a material that provides some resistance. For pubs and restaurants, it’s vital to avoid scratch-prone softwoods like fir, spruce and pine in favour of hardwoods such as birch, oak or maple, whose denser nature makes them more resistant to accidental scratches.

Choosing the right wooden table

Trent offers a wide range of hardwearing wooden tables in a choice of veneer or solid finish. If you are looking for a large table for a traditional pub or restaurant setting, the Rectangular Tudor Table is a fantastic choice. Available in dark oak only, as the classic style lends itself so well to a traditional dark finish, this contract quality table is built to withstand heavy use by drinkers and diners. It comes in a range of sizes so you can match your tables to the exact layout of your space.

When it comes to side tables, Trent’s Wellington Pedestal Table is a smart choice for smaller spaces and nooks and crannies. Again, this hardwearing wooden table is built to last and it is available with a square or round top in a choice of light oak, dark oak or walnut to complement any interior design scheme.

Tricks of the trade

The best scratch removal method will depend on the severity of the scratch and the type of wood. These methods are all tried and tested ways to remove scratches from wooden tables:

• Oil and vinegar: mix half a cup of white or cider vinegar with ½ cup of cooking oil and rub onto the scratch using a microfibre cloth. For minor surface scratches, try combining the oil with lemon juice.
• Iodine: if your scratch is on a dark wooden table, try carefully applying a few drops of iodine with a cotton bud, wiping away any excess so it doesn’t stain the surrounding wood.
• Car polish: if your table has a polished finish, rubbing gently and sparingly with car polish may do the trick.
• Vaseline: while it will not remove a scratch, applying Vaseline and leaving it overnight may encourage the surrounding wood to swell up and surround the scratch, improving its appearance.
• Mineral oil and pumice: combine mineral oil and powdered pumice to make a paste, then gently rub on to the scratch using fine steel wool. Remove the paste with a damp paper towel before buffing with a dry cloth.
• The store cupboard: tea, coffee, walnuts, shoe polish and even peanut butter can all be used to fix wooden table scratches in certain circumstances.

Of course, if the scratch is particularly deep, it may be necessary to get a French polisher to restore the damage professionally.

Repairing other types of table tops

For further information on table top care, you can also read our handy guide to removing scratches from glass table tops.

Hard-wearing wooden tables for pubs and restaurants

For more information about our great range of stylish and durable wooden tables, please call 0116 2988 583 or fill in our contact form.

While pub gardens have long been a key feature of the Great British Summer, this has never been more the case than in the summer of 2020 as the public returns to bars and pubs in an enthusiastic but socially distanced manner.

Now that they can welcome guests again, publicans all over the UK are looking to make the most of their gardens as they cross their fingers for plenty of sunshine for the rest of the summer. Due to the new importance of maximising outdoor space whilst adhering to social distancing regulations, many landlords are refreshing and revitalising their pub gardens with new outdoor furniture. 

It’s a given that any pub garden furniture must be both durable and weatherproof, however there are plenty of styles that fit into these non-negotiable categories. Here, we take a look at the pros and cons of the two popular styles of rattan and pallet furniture.

Durable rattan pub garden furniture

Rattan and wicker furniture are both stylish and practical choices for your pub garden that will stand the test of time in terms of both fashion and durability.  Trent’s Monaco Wicker Stacking Chair is water resistant and can be stacked up to ten chairs high, meaning it’s easy to put into storage when autumn arrives.

Its eye-catching aluminium frame and natural, black, green or red wicker means it’s equally at home in a country pub garden as a city centre bistro terrace.

Another advantage of the Monaco Wicker Stacking Chair is its versatility; it’s also a popular choice for indoor use in venues such as social clubs, student unions and leisure centres.

Weatherproof pallet outdoor furniture

Upcycling pallets to make furniture is both a trendy and eco-friendly way to create unique pub garden furniture. Certainly, if you’re a dab hand at DIY, this can be a cost-effective way to create tables and seating for your beer garden. Many people opt for accents of pallet furniture in combination with more traditional outdoor choices. For example, Trent’s UV and water resistant Capra Round Table, which is also available with a square top, looks great next to pallet furniture and planters thanks to its stylish synthetic teak top and aluminium base.

A protective clear lacquer coating and adjustable feet add to its practicality.

Indeed, combining the two styles can be the perfect solution. While pallet furniture looks fantastic, it can be more difficult to source if you are unable to make it yourself, and it is less versatile when it comes to moving around and storing.

Find your perfect pub garden furniture

Whatever your theme, Trent can help when it comes to finding the ideal outdoor furniture for your bar or pub.  For more information, please call us on 0116 2988 583 or fill in our contact form.

When you invest in outdoor furniture, you want it to be built to last. Not least because the unpredictable British weather means it's likely to get soaked at some point.

Here's our pick of some of the best long-lasting outdoor furniture, and what makes it perfect for whatever the weather throws at it.

Alma Aluminium Tables

Alma Square, Round and Poseur Aluminium Tables are made of weather-resistant metal, including a cast aluminium base and a stainless steel particleboard table top.

They each include a heavy cast iron weight in the base, which lowers the centre of gravity to give more stability to the table during use and in windy conditions.

Finally, adjustable feet on the base allow the table to be levelled on uneven ground - no more folded beer mats required!

Monaco Tall Aluminium Bar Stool

The Monaco Tall Aluminium Bar Stool is ideal for outdoor poseur tables and outdoor bar areas.

Its pressed aluminium construction is finished with welded joints, which makes these stools water-resistant - perfect if you don't want to bring them inside during a summer shower.

With a seat height of 79cm, they're perfect for tall tables and counter seating areas, so you can make full use of the outdoor space you have available.

Monaco Stacking Chairs

Monaco Stacking Chairs can be cleared away easily in bad weather or overnight, making them an excellent choice for roadside terraces or front beer gardens that are not fully secure.

They come in a variety of different finishes:

• Aluminium (which matches the Monaco Bar Stool mentioned above)
• Wood Effect (pictured, with durable light oak synthetic timber slats)
• Wicker (in natural, black, red or green colour)

You can combine different finishes and colours for a colourful collection of outdoor seating, while the consistent frame means these stackable outdoor chairs can be piled ten high without having to separate them into their various colours first.

Plaza Chairs and Tables

Plaza Chairs and Tables have robust construction for hard-wearing use outdoors, and offer a distinctive and different appearance.

The Plaza Table has weather-proof synthetic rattan construction with a sturdy frame made of thick aluminium tubing, and a hardened glass top that is easy to wipe clean.

Mix and match the Plaza Chair and Plaza Armchair for more visual variety, still with the elegant and luxurious black rattan aesthetic and the same weather-resistant credentials as the table.

Capra Tables

Finally, the Capra Square Table and Capra Round Table work well with wood effect outdoor chairs thanks to their light oak synthetic timber tabletops.

They're water-resistant and UV-resistant, which means they can be used outdoors in sunny conditions without fading.

To give a sense of the quality of the materials used in Capra Tables, the same synthetic timber is used on yacht decks - so they really do offer luxury along with hard-wearing workmanship.

Combine with wood effect outdoor chairs for a natural aesthetic, or opt for some of the aluminium outdoor chairs mentioned above, which will match well with the aluminium frame of both round and square Capra Tables.

Buy All Your Outdoor Furniture Online Today

All of the above examples of long-lasting, durable outdoor furniture are available to buy online now from Trent Furniture's 2020 outdoor furniture range. Or if you need more help choosing the right furniture, don't hesitate to get in touch with us, we are happy to help.

The virtual pub quiz is one of the biggest success stories to come out of lockdown, with many pubs offering home delivery of beer and wine, and letting regulars dial into the fun via Zoom and other videoconferencing platforms.

It's hard to know what the coming months might bring. With ever-changing social distancing measures in place, you might want to continue virtual pub quizzes for some time, as a way to 'top up' your customer capacity.

Here are a few top tips if you decide to do this, which should help you to run the perfect virtual pub quiz whatever the second half of 2020 brings to the hospitality industry.

Google or no Google?

Policing a virtual pub quiz is nigh on impossible, and players are unlikely to stay off their phones for the duration.

You can plan for this in a few ways though. One option is to try to ask questions that are not easy to search for - you either know it or you don't.

Alternatively, include a 'speed round' where the questions come thick and fast, with no time to search for the answers.

Finally, you can offer multiple choice answers on trickier questions, to encourage players to make an educated guess rather than cheating.

Socially distant prizes

Most people expect there to be a prize for winning a pub quiz, so decide what you think you can offer.

Remember the winners could be quite far away - so having a physical prize could turn into a costly headache if you have to deliver it yourself or pay to ship it to the winner.

Some good options as lockdown eases include gift vouchers and free or discounted meals at your pub, which could help to entice customers back in person when social distancing rules allow it.

Mark your own?

Make sure you have a plan when it comes to marking the quiz. People can get very petty when there are prizes at stake, and it's even harder to check they're telling the truth over a video link.

There are no completely fool-proof solutions here, so just do your best. If you limit your quiz to locals and regulars, you might just decide to trust them.

Again, this is like trying to stop people from using Google - there's only so much you can do. Unfortunately if people want to cheat, they'll usually find a way.

Keep it interesting

Finally, try to mix it up so everyone stays engaged. A long list of questions can start to drag, but you can throw in a picture round, music round and tiebreakers for variety.

Most video calling apps have a screen sharing option, which gives you a handy way to show players the picture round and can even allow you to limit the amount of time they can see it.

Some things will work better than others, and your customers will respond differently too, so learn as you go along.

You might find the virtual pub quiz becomes a regular event even after social distancing is relaxed, as a way to continue home deliveries and add a revenue stream to your pub for the long term.

When you're ready to start hosting pub quizzes inside your pub again, check out our traditional pub quiz guide for landlords to make your night a success, and if you're looking to refurbish your pub, take a look at our guide to the perfect pub refurbishment. If you have any questions about buying pub furniture get in touch, we'll be very happy to help!

The best parts of a static caravan holiday are often not the times inside the caravan, but those spent just outside, soaking up the sun, enjoying some delicious food, and perhaps sharing a few drinks too.

So your choice of outdoor furniture for your static caravan is worth taking some time over, to make sure you get the best tables and chairs for the job.

Luckily, we're here to help, with a round-up of some of our own outdoor chairs and tables that we think will look great alongside your static caravan during your next staycation.

Outdoor tables for static caravan holidays

Our Alma Tables and Capra Tables are both good options to use as outdoor tables for static caravan holidays.

They're both popular choices for outdoor areas outside bistros, bars and cafes, so you know you're getting good quality no matter which you opt for.

Alma Square Tables and Alma Round Tables have a sturdy aluminium base, weighed down with cast iron for stability, and a durable stainless steel particleboard top.

Capra Square Tables and Capra Round Tables have a synthetic timber top instead, made with the same material used on luxury yacht decking.

We think both look fantastic, and we know they make excellent outdoor furniture - so you just need to choose between square or round, aluminium or wood effect?

Outdoor chairs for static caravans

Once you've got a table to sit at, you'll need some outdoor chairs to sit on, and we've got plenty to choose from again.

Monaco Stacking Chairs are a great place to start, as they're available in wood effect, aluminium, and with wicker seats in natural, black, red and green colours.

That means you can match your outdoor chairs to the colour of your caravan, or the materials used in your table - or just choose the colour you like best.

Monaco Stacking Chairs can stack up to ten high, so they're convenient to pack away on to a single chair footprint, ideal if you're short of storage space at your static caravan.

This also means you can have some spares, to bring out if you have guests who are staying elsewhere on the caravan park and come to visit your van.

Need some help?

You can find more outdoor furniture on our website, including outdoor poseur tables and bar stools, if you prefer something slightly taller than standard height.

Or take a look at our Plaza Armchair, whose sturdy construction with arms gives you something to push against when standing up, if you need it.

If you'd like to ask us anything that isn't already answered in the product descriptions on each page, please get in touch - we're always happy to hear from our customers.

You can email sales@trentfurniture.co.uk or fill in the form on our Contact Us page for a quick response from a member of our team.

Alternatively, call us on 01162 864911 or 01162 867291 during opening hours and we can talk through some of the best tables and chairs to put outside your static caravan during your next visit.