Costing and paying for the facility

The smoking facility should be examined on a cost-effectiveness basis, like any investment. As with most investments though, it pays back more quickly when competition is less intense. This means that, for a fast payback, you need to be one of the first to act.

Costs vary widely from supplier to supplier and area to area, but the scale below may give you some idea of how much certain kinds of areas might cost.

Awning with heating
Good for landlocked premises with little or no pavement
4 x 2m manually retractable awning £ 1,500.00
2 x energy saving electric heaters £ 500.00
SUBTOTAL £ 2,000.00
If you have pavement space, add tables and chairs. A four-seat table and chairs should cost around £ 100.00 at a DIY store.
2 x 4 seat table and chairs £ 400.00
TOTAL £ 2,400.00

Jumbrellas with integrated heat and light
Good for large gardens or pedestrianised areas
5.5m x 5.5m jumbrella. £ 4,000.00
Heating £ 700.00
Lighting £ 500.00
SUBTOTAL £ 5,200.00
This solution is great for creating a huge dining area but you’ll need good quality garden
furniture to complement the look. You should be
able to fit 6 or 7 tables under your jumbrella.
That’s at least another 24 covers!
7 x 4-seat table and chairs
@ £ 200.00/set £ 1,200.00
TOTAL £ 6,400.00

Unused alleyway with sun awnings
Good for town centre premises with barrel or similar storage areas
10 bars stools £ 400.00
3 gas heaters £ 750.00
Shelving £ 50.00
Hanging baskets £ 40.00
Paint £ 60.00
TOTAL £ 1,300.00
A cheap solution that you can create yourself
in a weekend.

Traditional smoking shelter
Good for heavy use or where vandalism may occur
10 person shelter with integrated heat, light, flooring, ash bins, seating and shelving £ 3,500.00
SUBTOTAL £ 3,500.00
This solution is perfect for those who cannot constantly monitor and clean their area.
Made of solid metal it is fireproof, vandal
resistant and needs minimal maintenance.

NB: This particular example does not comply with UK law.

Bespoke shelter with heating, lighting and seating.
Utilitarian in style, making it durable safe and usable year round.
10m² x Concrete base (c. £ 100.00/m²)
£ 1,000.00
Bespoke built wooden shelter
with integrated benches £ 9,000.00
SUBTOTAL £ 11,000.00
Painting the interior, adding seat pads and planting to the outside will soften the overall
look of the shelter.
Decoration, planting and seating £ 400.00
TOTAL £ 11,400.00

Giant Canopies
Good for large patios
6 x 5m canopy – permanently fixed £ 3,000.00
heating kit £ 1,000.00
lighting kit £ 1,000.00
5 x 6-seat table and chair sets
@ £ 300.00/set £ 1,500.00
SUBTOTAL £ 6,500.00
Remember this will need to be bolted to a solid surface so you may have to include the cost of concreting if you don’t already have a solid area.
30m² concrete flooring £ 3,000.00
TOTAL £ 9,500.00

Please note the pictures shown are for illustration purposes only and may cost more or less than the suggested price depending on your supplier.

For the more elaborate shelters you may need financial help. This could be available from:

Brandowners – if yours is a showcase outlet for a drinks brand, they may be keen to provide you with materials that carry their logo
Pubcos – many licensed trade companies have set aside funds or have created loan schemes to help to put in smoking facilities – get in early and you may get more than your fair share
Banks – especially if you own the premises. The payback from a good smoking facility can be quite fast, making it a good investment for them, and you.