A traditional-style pub and restaurant, The Seven Stars in Oldswinford, West Midlands, has a large and popular courtyard seating area for its customers that was created a few years ago, replacing the former beer garden to offer a relaxed and spacious setting for those dining and drinking al fresco.

With seating, some lights and Tansun patio heating already in place, The Seven Stars was well-placed to take the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces in its stride, but licensee Liz Wilson decided that more work should be done in preparation.

The pub is fortunate to have two outdoor areas, and one of these was transformed into a dedicated smoking zone, whilst the other is now a non-smoking eating area.

Liz said: “Smokers are coming increasingly under fire, but we have a significant number of customers who smoke and we are determined that regulars and more casual visitors have somewhere that is comfortable in all weathers, and also has an ambience that will make coming to The Seven Stars a rewarding experience.”

At The Seven Stars, the designated smoking area is located on decking immediately outside the patio doors leading from the main bar, and it is being provided with canvas covers. The lighting is being improved with new decking lights and three more flood lights. While year-round comfort is ensured by the provision of Tansun wall-mounted Algarve patio heaters, ensuring that valuable floor space is not wasted and that heat spread is optimised with a uniform level of heating across the entire seated area.

“The glow from the heaters has always acted as a sales tool,” says Liz. “People walk past, stop at the gate to look and then enter the courtyard to have a drink.”