Plan for the Ban With Calor

Calor, the UK’s leading supplier of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), is working alongside the Ferado Terrace Company to introduce a brand new innovative alfresco solution suitable for catering for the smoking ban and giving businesses a profit potential of up to £56,000 a year*

A simple yet effective outdoor solution, the brand new Ferado Terrace has been specifically designed to create a comprehensive outdoor area allowing customers to eat, relax and drink outdoors whatever the weather.

The Ferado Terrace meets the current draft guidelines for the smoking ban as it is not considered to be an enclosed space, making it an ideal solution for outlets looking to cater for smokers once the ban comes into force on 2 April in Wales and 1 July in England.

Each module can seat approximately 12 people or accommodate up to 20 people standing and can be simply connected together to cater for the needs of the outlet and make the most of the space available.

The Ferado Terrace can offer customers shelter from the elements by applying versatile wind breaks. An integrated, roof mounted heater with no visible flame is powered by Calor LPG and offers a convenient and flexible heat source ensuring customers are comfortable, even when the external temperature drops. Its innovative gutter cup system also ensures customers are kept dry. The side panels also offer outlets a branding opportunity and can be replaced to suit each outlet’s individual requirements

Although suitable as a permanent structure, the Ferado Terrace can be assembled with little ground preparation and is available with or without flooring. The Terrace has been designed to be easily assembled and dismantled and can be stored between use.

The configuration of the units can be tailored to individual business requirements and ground level access means the Terrace meets the Disability Discrimination Act legislation.

Outdoor Options

Businesses committing to purchase a unit before the end of March can benefit from Ferado’s introductory price offer of £7,000 (plus vat) inclusive of site installation (the normal list price will be £10,500). The Ferado Terrace can be purchased outright or may be hired on a short term basis, for example, for use at events. Flexible payment opportunities are available to lease purchase or hire purchase the Terraces, making them an affordable investment.

Thomas McGonigle, managing director of the Ferado Terrace Company says providing a comfortable outdoor space can do more than just provide a solution to the smoking ban. He says: “Improving outdoor facilities can increase an outlet’s capacity and attract more customers. With effective outdoor heating, customers can be kept comfortable for longer, have more space in which to enjoy their meals and drinks and are also able to smoke.”

Calor commercial market manager Sabrina Jackson agrees: “In addition, by providing suitable outdoor heating, outlets can make the days last longer as warm and comfortable customers are more likely to prolong their visit and increase their average spend. Outlets with heated outdoor areas can also encourage people to sit outside earlier in the year and make the summer last well into autumn.”

Profit Potential

With just two units in use, the Terrace can provide approximately 26 covers and offers businesses the potential to generate profits of up to £56,000 a year in the first year*. These figures are based on an outlet operating a ten-hour day, serving an average of 50 covers per day, with an average spend of £17 per head plus V.A.T. When running costs, labour costs and insurance are taken into account, a gross operating profit of £329 a day gives businesses a potential overall profit of almost £56,000* a year (based on purchasing two Terraces with the current special offer of £7,000 plus V.A.T. per terrace available until the end of March 2007).

Even businesses with customers spending under £7 per head plus V.A.T. and serving an average of 30 covers per day can see a return on their investment in 1 year (based on purchasing two terraces at the current special offer price of £7,000 per terrace available up until the end of March 2007) once running costs are deducted.

Keep on Trac

Outlets already using Calor LPG for heating, catering or water heating requirements have the option of utilising their existing bulk LPG tanks to fuel the Ferado’s integral heater. Alternatively, the unit can be powered by Calor Patio Gas® cylinders which feature the innovative Gas Trac® device. Gas Trac® indicates the amount of gas remaining in the cylinder and ensures outlets can plan ahead and organise a replacement cylinder in good time.

Calor’s distribution network offers a fast and friendly service right across the country, from the furthest points in Scotland to the tips of Cornwall. For added peace of mind, all Calor drivers are trained to do a visual inspection of LPG cylinders and connections when they reach outlets to help ensure that the LPG supply should be safe. It just takes one call to Calor Gas Direct on 0800 662 663 to book a delivery slot.

Outlets looking to make the most of their outdoor space in England, Wales and Scotland should contact Calor on 0800 216 659 or log onto www.lpg-catering.co.uk/ferado/index1.htm.

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Notes to Editors

* Return on Investment Guide

Calculations are based on a two module Ferado unit (approx 26 covers) operating on a 10 hour outdoor trading day.

1 Average food and beverage cost of Sales estimated at 35%
2 Average service labour costs estimated at 25% of Sales
3 Estimated running costs for propane gas model using 6kg at 12kw per day
4 Estimated insurance premium costs per day
5 Operational Days calculated at 70% of total available from April to October (150 from 215 available) and 40% of total available from November to March (60 from 151 available) totalling 210 days

Purchasing two Ferado Terraces at the special price of £7,000 therefore offers outlets serving 50 covers a day at £20 per head the potential to earn profits of up to £56,000 in the first year.

A survey carried out by the Ferado Terrace Company recently found that:

• 92% of people would prefer to eat or drink outdoors if given the chance

• 65% suggested that being too cold prevented them from eating and drinking outdoors with 50% citing that rain also prevented them

• 90% said they would choose an outlet that had a heated, covered outdoor facility over one that did not

Issued on behalf of Calor by Connect PR

For more information, please contact:
Kathy Jarvis / Sue Foster
Connect PR. The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1HT
Tel: 01902 714957
Email: kathy@connect-group.com / suefoster@connect-group.com

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