Pub Fencing, Shelters and Noise Reduction
All too often, beer gardens don’t feel like gardens at all—they’re merely an afterthought or a designated smoking area. With summer on the horizon, along with major sporting events and the promise of warm weather, now is the perfect time to elevate your pub’s outdoor space. A well-designed beer garden can offer customers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where they can soak up the sun, enjoy the game, and have a great time—without causing disturbances to your neighbours.
Here are some creative ideas to help you make the most of your pub garden:
Creative Seating in Your Beer Garden
Fencing for Privacy and Pub Noise Reduction
If you’re planning to enhance your pub’s garden with an outdoor screen for live sports, it’s important to consider the impact of noise on your surroundings. With many major sporting events scheduled late into the night—coinciding with peak hours when your pub is buzzing with excited fans—the cheers, chants, and celebrations can easily carry beyond your premises. While this creates a fantastic atmosphere for customers, it may not be as well received by your neighbours.
Installing acoustic fencing is a highly effective way to reduce noise pollution while also enhancing the privacy and security of your outdoor space. These specially designed fences work by eliminating gaps that sound could escape through, forming a solid barrier that significantly minimises noise transmission. This means your patrons can fully immerse themselves in the game without disturbing those nearby.
Beyond its practical benefits, acoustic fencing also adds a stylish and professional look to your pub’s exterior. With sleek, modern designs available, it can seamlessly blend into your outdoor space, complementing your beer garden’s aesthetic while providing a clear boundary that enhances both privacy and ambience.
Investing in high-quality acoustic fencing not only helps maintain good relationships with the local community but also reinforces your reputation as a responsible and considerate venue. By creating a dedicated outdoor sports viewing area that keeps noise levels under control, you can offer an unforgettable match-day experience without compromise.
So, whether you’re gearing up for a major football tournament or simply want to improve your pub’s outdoor facilities, acoustic fencing is a smart and stylish solution that benefits both your business and your neighbours.
Smoking Shelters
With the pundits suggesting temperatures are set to soar, creating a dry and shaded area for your
customers is a must! If you are intending to install a smoking shelter always remember to speak to your local planning authority first. Wooden garden shelters that conform to the smoking legislation as they are not “wholly or substantially enclosed” but in addition to this, their stylish, contemporary design ensures they also double as a stunning focal point for the garden.
Hiding Bins and Storage in a Pub Beer Garden
A pub beer garden should be a welcoming and visually appealing space, offering customers a place to relax and enjoy their time. However, essential elements such as waste bins, general storage, and even gas or oil tanks can disrupt the atmosphere if left exposed. Using fencing to conceal these areas provides a practical solution, keeping the space tidy without compromising functionality.
When hiding bins and storage, the choice of fencing is crucial. Solid fencing, such as tongue and groove or slatted panels, provides a clean and seamless look, ensuring unsightly areas remain out of sight while maintaining an attractive finish. For those looking to balance concealment with airflow, options like hit & miss or Venetian fencing allow for ventilation, helping to prevent odours and dampness in enclosed storage areas.
Security and accessibility should also be considered, particularly for areas used by staff. Lockable gates integrated into the fencing allow for easy access while keeping waste areas secure from customers and potential vandals.
Beyond bins and general storage, many pubs also need to house gas bottles or oil tanks for heating and cooking. Safety is paramount when concealing these, and fencing solutions must allow for proper ventilation while complying with regulations. Slatted fencing can help maintain airflow while still offering an effective screen, and fencing should be positioned to allow easy access for deliveries and maintenance. Fire-resistant materials or additional protective barriers may also be required, depending on the type of storage.
Incorporating greenery can soften the appearance of storage enclosures and help them blend into the surroundings. Trellises with climbing plants or painted timber fencing in complementary colours can enhance the overall aesthetic. Choosing pressure-treated timber ensures longevity and reduces maintenance, making it a smart long-term investment for any beer garden.
By carefully selecting the right fencing solution, pub owners can maintain a neat, stylish outdoor space while ensuring essential storage remains both accessible and discreet.
Bollards, Verge Posts, and Demarcation Fencing: Protecting Your Pub Garden
When planning the layout for your pub’s garden or smoking area, particularly if it’s situated near a busy road or car park, ensuring the safety of your patrons should be a top priority. One effective way to minimise the risk of accidents, such as vehicles potentially running into people, is by installing bollards, verge posts, or demarcation fences. These safety features not only help to protect your customers but also provide a clear boundary between the outdoor area and the surrounding traffic.
Bollards are a highly reliable solution, offering both visibility and physical protection. Made from sturdy materials such as steel, concrete, or even recycled plastic, bollards can be strategically placed around the perimeter of your pub garden or smoking area. These act as a solid deterrent, preventing vehicles from straying into pedestrian spaces. Bollards come in a range of designs, from traditional fixed posts to more flexible options that absorb impact and return to their original position, offering additional protection in case of a collision.
Verge posts serve a similar purpose by marking the edge of a space while providing a clear and visible boundary. These posts can be positioned along the edge of the pavement or garden, helping to direct foot traffic safely away from areas where vehicles are likely to pass. Often smaller and more discrete than bollards, verge posts still provide a robust solution for creating a secure, clearly demarcated area but will not stop cars travelling a little faster.
Demarcation fences can also be a practical choice, especially if you’re looking to provide both physical protection and aesthetic value. These fences, whether made of metal, wood, or a combination of both, serve as a visual and physical barrier that keeps pedestrians safely separated from the road or car park. A well-designed demarcation fence not only protects customers but also adds an element of style to your pub’s outdoor space, giving it a welcoming, yet secure, atmosphere. They
By incorporating these safety features into your pub’s outdoor area, you’ll significantly reduce the risk of accidents, ensuring your customers can enjoy the fresh air and good company without worry. Additionally, they’ll add a layer of privacy and separation, making the space feel more inviting and secure. Whether you choose bollards, verge posts, or demarcation fences, these protective measures are an investment in both safety and the long-term success of your pub garden or smoking area.
Decking: A Great Solution For Busy Pub Gardens
Decking is a fantastic addition to any beer garden, helping to create defined seating areas, level uneven ground, and improve drainage. Whether extending the space with raised platforms or adding a dedicated section for dining and socialising, decking enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of an outdoor area. Timber decking, in particular, adds a natural warmth that complements traditional pub settings, while composite options offer a low-maintenance alternative with excellent durability.
The right decking layout can help maximise seating capacity while maintaining a comfortable, open feel. Built-in planters or seating can add character, while lighting along decked walkways or steps improves both safety and ambience as the evening sets in. Choosing non-slip decking ensures customers can enjoy the space confidently, even after summer showers.
To further enhance the beer garden, consider pergolas or covered sections over decking areas. These provide shade and shelter, making the space usable throughout the day and into the night. Paired with outdoor heating, they help extend the beer garden season well beyond the peak summer months.
Low-Maintenance, Long-Lasting Solutions
Investing in premium, pressure-treated timber for fencing, decking, wooden shelters, or bollards is a smart decision for any outdoor project.
These high-quality materials are specifically treated to provide outstanding durability and robust protection against the harsh effects of weather and environmental factors, including moisture, UV rays, and pests. This enhanced resistance to the elements not only ensures a longer lifespan for your outdoor structures but also significantly reduces the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
As a result, you'll benefit from sustained performance and minimal maintenance costs, making it an incredibly cost-effective and long-term solution. To further maximise your investment, opt for products that come with extensive guarantees—such as 25 years—offering you peace of mind and assurance that your timber will withstand the test of time. With such a solid foundation, you can enjoy your outdoor space without worrying about premature wear and tear.
With the right approach, decking, fencing, bollards etc can transform a pub beer garden into a vibrant, welcoming space that customers return to time and time again. Noise reduction fencing can also keep neighbours happy also. By investing in quality materials and thoughtful design, pub owners can create an outdoor area that thrives throughout summer and beyond.
Updated in February 2025
