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1.   Determine your goal or cause

Usually, a gala dinner event is held to raise money for a charity, reward employees or as a celebratory ceremony. If you are holding a gala to raise money, then determining the charity you are supporting and how much you are aiming to raise is a great starting point.

2.  Set a budget

With your cause and goals in mind setting a budget is the next step. You should also examine costs at this step, considering things like:

Venue rental
Gala furniture
Food and drinks
Equipment and decor
Entertainment and speaker fees
Staff
Promotion

3.  Choose a date

Setting the date of your event as early as possible is a sensible move as it allows you to begin making bookings for venues, staff and so on, with confidence. Having a date will also allow you to start promoting your event as soon as possible.

4.  Find a venue

This step may be intertwined with choosing a date for your event as you may want to find out when your ideal venues have availability first. When it comes to choosing a venue, you need to consider not only the more obvious factors like size and location, but also the smaller details. For example, can you serve alcohol at the venue and does it have the catering facilities required?

5.  Arrange sponsorships and speakers

Sponsorships are an important part of planning a gala. Reaching out to relevant and local businesses to sponsor your event can help you build seed money, obtain items or services needed for the event for free or at a reduced cost and begin spreading the word about the gala.

6.  Hire caterers, entertainers, and other staff

One of the most important parts of a gala dinner is of course the meal itself! Finding a reputable catering company is the first step but you should also consider if you will need to hire any additional staff for the event. You may also want to think about entertainment at this stage, for example a band or DJ.

7.   Promote and sell tickets for your gala

The goal of a charity gala is to sell tickets and raise money for your cause. This is where promoting your event and using marketing comes in. Try and use a range of marketing channels to reach potential guests, including:

An event website or landing page
Direct mail
Print ads in local publications
Flyers
Email
Social media

8.  Pick the perfect gala furniture and decor

Many venues will already have furniture available, otherwise you may want to invest in some gala furniture for the event. When it comes to selecting gala dinner tables, round banquet tables are a popular choice as they allow guests to chat and dine around a central point. Pair your tables with stacking chairs for a comfortable option which is both easy to move and store.

Trent Furniture offers a wide range of affordable, high quality event furniture. You can also contact us here if you have any questions about our gala furniture.

Snack bars are the perfect way to serve up light bites, drinks and more from a venue with limited space. Whether you’re adding a snack bar to a university or college venue, a country club or setting up an independent snack bar business then you will need to carefully consider the furniture you invest in. Here’s our advice for making the perfect pick.

Compact dining furniture

Often snack bars become part of an existing space, use a smaller venue, or blend indoor/outdoor dining. Picking compact furniture and placing it thoughtfully is key to making limited space work well.

Stools

If you can incorporate a bar style area for patrons to sit then pairing this with bar stools is ideal as they can be tucked underneath when not in use. We recommend opting for something like Trent Furniture’s Bella Tall Stool as it’s backless (so can be pushed under a bar or table), stackable and easy to wipe clean.

Poseur tables

Also perfect to pair with stools is the poseur table. These tall tables don’t take up much space but provide a great spot to perch and dine. Whilst you may think of traditional wooden bar poseur tables, there are also more modern designs which fit perfectly into a modern snack bar like the Alma Aluminium Poseur Table.

Small tables

Often snack bars don’t need to house large tables suitable for a three-course meal! Instead, smaller tables designed to seat between two and four diners are more than adequate. Pedestal tables can be a great option as they are supported with just one central column and take up minimal room, or you could opt for a stacking table which is easy to move and store.

Outdoor seating options

Snack bars often serve an outdoor audience, working well in locations like beaches or parks. If you’re investing in outdoor furniture for your business, it’s important to consider that outdoor furniture will need to face the UK’s unpredictable weather, offer comfort for patrons, and be easily moved and put away.

Aluminium furniture is a classic option which is sturdy, affordable and made to be used outdoors. Alternatively, tables with an Isotop are perfect for outdoor use and provide a holiday snack bar feeling. Trent Furniture’s Vienna Table is a great choice and comes in a range of styles, colours and sizes.

Quick to clean furniture pieces

Snack bars are all about offering quick and convenient food and beverages. With that in mind you may experience a high customer turnover throughout the day so picking furniture which is easy to keep clean and maintain can make life a little easier during the lunch rush!

Choosing materials like faux leather, laminated wood or aluminium is a wise choice as they can be wiped down easily. If it fits the theme of your snack bar, American style diner furniture is ideal thanks to its simple designs and use of vinyl which both keep the cleaning process quick and simple.

Snack bar furniture from Trent Furniture

Trent Furniture offers a wide range of cafe and bistro furniture which is perfect for snack bars. If you have any questions, you can also contact us here.

As we head into the autumn, you may be thinking it is a little early to be planning for Christmas at your pub. However, as most landlords know, early preparation is vital when it comes to December’s festive period. If your pub is planning to serve Christmas dinners, it is crucial to get your space ready and ensure you have ample good-quality Christmas furniture. Whether your pub contains a function room for private parties, a busy bar area, or a bustling outdoor space, your guests will expect comfort, style and functionality from your tables, chairs, and stools. As experts in quality contract furniture, we are here to help give landlords some helpful tips to getting your pub Christmas dinner ready this year.

Consider flexibility

In December, a big consideration for landlords is the increased volume of guests that are to be expected. Friends and family love to gather together at Christmas, meaning your pub will likely be working at full capacity. Whilst any pub owner would hope their guests book ahead of time, there’s a good chance you’ll experience many walk-in customers turning up and hoping to be seated. With this in mind, your furniture needs to be able to accommodate this.

Furniture that can easily be stacked, such as our Paris Outdoor Table is a great option for the busy festive season. Tables such as this can be kept safely in your pub’s storeroom ready to be brought out when needed, meaning you won’t have to turn any guests away. With your guests getting into the festive spirit, you may also want to be able to quickly and easily clear space in your pub for a dance floor. Tables that can be easily manoeuvred, such as our versatile Round Shaker Table, are therefore a worthwhile consideration.

Prioritise comfort

For guests, having a traditional Christmas dinner cooked for them takes a lot of stress out of the festive season. As a landlord, you want to ensure that your guests can simply sit back, relax, and take in the festive atmosphere. It is important to ensure that your pub furniture is both comfortable and stylish, to create a relaxed and cosy feel. Chairs such as our Abbruzzo Mink Chair are an excellent option, offering extra comfort while guests are eating thanks to its upholstered seat. Remember that you will also be serving guests who may want to simply pop in and sit down with a festive drink. With this in mind, our Chesterfield Two Seater Sofa offers a comforting, pleasant seat for guests to enjoy casual drinks with their friends and colleagues.

Practicality

While your pub is serving Christmas dinners this season, it is crucial to invest in practical furniture that is quick and easy for your staff to wipe clean. Our Rectangular Tudor Oak Table is the perfect choice with its traditional design and easy-wipe veneer or solid top. For a lighter wood option, our Black Pyramid table is another practical choice with a durable steel finish and laminate top.

Making use of outdoor space

In light of COVID-19, guests may still only be comfortable having dinner or drinks outside this Christmas. Ensure that your outdoor space has ample furniture that can be used if necessary; consider mixing a range of outdoor tables, stools and chairs in your space to mimic the same cosy feel outside your pub as well as inside. For guests who still wish to social distance, consider our range of social distancing furniture designed with this in mind. And for those chilly December nights, think about investing in some heaters and blankets to keep everyone cosy.

From barstools to sofas, coffee tables to banquet tables, we provide a wide range of high-quality pub furniture at Trent Furniture. For help finding the perfect furniture for your space, or to chat with one of our friendly team, get in touch on 01162989854 or email us at sales@trentfurniture.co.uk.