First Impressions Matter – Why You Must Keep the Outside of Your Food and Drink Premises Spotlessly Clean

When it comes to running a successful food and drink establishment, what’s on the plate is only part of the picture. 

The outside of your premises is just as important as the inside, especially when it comes to attracting and retaining customers. 

No matter how mouth-watering your menu or how friendly your team, a dirty or neglected exterior can send potential diners heading for the hills – or worse, straight to your competitors.

I recently overheard a comment that really hammered this point home:

“The outside of these premises is filthy. I dread to think what it’s like inside. Let’s go elsewhere.”

A harsh statement – but also brutally honest. And they weren’t alone. Many passers-by judge a café, restaurant, pub or takeaway on its kerb appeal alone.

Let’s dive into why keeping the outside of your food business spotlessly clean is not just good practice – it’s essential.

1. It’s Your Silent Salesperson

The front of your establishment is your first and most visible advert. Dirty windows, overflowing bins, cigarette butts or bird droppings don’t just make your place look unattractive – they actively repel potential customers. A clean, well-maintained frontage sends the message: “We take pride in everything we do.”

2. It Builds Trust in Your Hygiene Standards

Whether consciously or not, customers equate a clean exterior with a clean kitchen. If the outside is grimy or neglected, people will assume hygiene standards are just as lax behind the scenes – and that can be enough to put them off for good.

3. It Keeps You on the Right Side of Inspectors

Environmental health inspectors won’t stop judging your premises once they step outside. Litter, dirty pavements, grease marks, or poorly maintained signage can all influence the overall impression of your food safety standards. Don't give them a reason to question your cleanliness.

4. It Encourages Repeat Visits

People want to feel proud when they bring their friends or family to their favourite local. A sparkling entrance, clean windows, well-kept outdoor seating and fresh signage can help create a welcoming, professional atmosphere that brings people back again and again.

5. It Deters Pests

Overflowing bins, spilled food waste or untidy storage areas outside can attract rats, mice, flies and other pests – all of which are bad news for any food premises. Regular cleaning, along with proper waste management, reduces the risk of infestations.

6. It’s a Marketing Opportunity

A clean exterior provides the perfect canvas for promotional signage, specials boards, or flower displays. Make the most of your space to show off your personality and draw people in. But it only works if everything is clean, tidy and looked after.

How to Keep the Outside Spotless

Daily sweep-downs of pavements, entryways and smoking areas

Pressure washing paths or seating areas weekly or after spills

Regular window cleaning to keep your frontage gleaming

Bin checks – make sure waste areas are neat, with lids on and no spillages

Tidy signage – fix peeling stickers, broken signs or wonky chalkboards

Monitor for graffiti or vandalism – act quickly to clean or report issues

Staff training – include exterior checks in your daily cleaning rota

In Summary

The cleanliness of the outside of your business is not just cosmetic – it’s a direct reflection of your brand, your hygiene, and your professionalism. Don’t let something as simple as a dirty doorway or an overflowing bin drive customers away before they’ve even seen your menu.

As the passer-by said: “I dread to think what it’s like inside.”

Let’s make sure no one says that about your business.

Why You Shouldn’t Allow Vaping on Your Food Premises

Running a food business means maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, customer comfort, and regulatory compliance. 

One policy that often prompts debate is whether to allow vaping on-site. 

While some may view it as a less harmful alternative to smoking, allowing vaping in your café, restaurant, or food retail premises can cause more harm than good—for your brand, your customers, and your staff.

Here are the key reasons why vaping has no place on food premises:

1. Customer Comfort and Experience

Food businesses thrive on atmosphere. For many customers, the presence of vapour clouds—often heavily scented—can be off-putting and disruptive. Even non-nicotine vapours can irritate sensitive individuals or cause discomfort for those with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Some diners may associate visible vapour with smoking and find it unhygienic or unpleasant when eating. Creating a neutral, fresh-smelling environment helps ensure a positive experience for all.

2. Food Hygiene and Safety

One of the golden rules in food service is to minimise contamination risk. Vapour from e-cigarettes can carry particles, flavourings, and even traces of nicotine. While studies on the direct contamination risk are limited, the principle of protecting food from any foreign substance is clear. Vapour lingering around preparation or dining areas undermines the hygiene standards your business is required to uphold.

3. Staff Welfare and Workplace Safety

Allowing vaping indoors exposes staff to substances they may not consent to inhale—particularly in confined or poorly ventilated spaces. This can create a stressful work environment or lead to disputes among team members. Enforcing a no-vaping policy demonstrates care for your employees’ wellbeing and promotes a more professional, inclusive workplace.

4. Brand Image and Public Perception

Your brand is more than just your menu—it’s how people feel when they walk through your doors. Permitting vaping may signal a lack of professionalism or make your establishment seem less clean or family-friendly. In contrast, a clear and fair no-vaping policy reinforces your commitment to quality and care.

5. Regulatory Considerations and Legal Clarity

While vaping is not currently banned in indoor public spaces under the Health Act 2006 (which prohibits smoking), business owners are within their rights to implement their own policies. Some local councils and food safety officers may look unfavourably on vaping in food environments. By taking a proactive stance, you minimise the risk of future complications or enforcement issues should legislation evolve.

6. Avoiding the Grey Area

Unlike smoking, which is clearly regulated, vaping exists in a regulatory grey area. This can lead to confusion among staff and customers. By having a straightforward, visible no-vaping policy—ideally with clear signage—you eliminate ambiguity and make it easier to manage behaviour on your premises.

Conclusion: Take a Clear Stance

In the food industry, clarity, hygiene, and comfort are essential. While vaping may be less harmful than smoking, it still introduces odours, chemicals, and confusion into an environment where food safety and customer satisfaction should be the priority. Protect your brand and your customers by keeping vaping off the menu.

Top Tip: Make your policy known—post signage, include it in staff training, and politely enforce it when needed.