As you read this, people across the UK are rummaging through their cupboards, dusting off their cool boxes and digging out their picnic blankets in preparation for Jubilee 2022 when up to 10 million Brits are planning to organise and attend street parties in Her Majesty's honour.
As we pray for sunshine rather than the ominous grey clouds of a British summer and with our ears ringing with renditions of “God Save The Queen” we at Expression Insurance have been thinking about how the independent high street can ‘jubilise’ their businesses safely, and what are the platinum rules for ensuring you have the correct insurance measures in place, to join in with your community with a right royal shindig.
But does your current business insurance provide the cover and protection for a safe and enjoyable jubilee experience?
Public Liability & Product Liability
Any activities you are planning for jubilee celebrations are protected provided they are in line with your usual business activities, but it is always advisable to check what is actually covered under your policy documents and if further clarification is required, check with your insurer.
With Expression Insurance our public liability cover allows you to hold small local events, support your business and celebrate the Queen's 70 years on the throne, building deeper links with your customers.
Events might include recreating the coronation banquet at a wine or food tasting, a royal fancy dress bingo night, or even a coronation themed book reading.
You may be promoting your regal event with an A-board or extending your business onto the pavement to attract passing revellers, if so, public liability will provide cover.
Product liability offers cover if a customer buys a faulty souvenir item which causes a fire, burning down their house or you serve a jubilee themed meal and the customer bites down on a piece of metal that breaks their tooth (you no doubt source top quality products and would never experience such scenario).
Important note
Thinking about safety aspects is important especially if you are expecting a larger footfall than usual.
It is advisable to complete a full risk assessment of the event, for example checking there is ample room for people to walk safely and not have to walk into the road and wheelchair access is not impeded.
After you have completed the risk assessment ensure your document this or anything ‘special’ you are looking at doing.
If you have a larger scale event in mind, such as entertaining patriotic shoppers with fireworks, bouncy castles, discos and other higher-risk activities additional cover may be required. Please give the team at Expression Insurance a call and we will happily talk it through with you.
Seal of approval
Covid put a right royal damper on the hospitality sector as we knew it, however, one crowning opportunity that COVID presented to independent hospitality was extending the pavement licence giving the opportunity to increase footfall and revenue through the use of outside areas.
The good news is if you are looking to continue festivities, with outside tables and chairs post jubilee, new legislation announced this week in big hospitality means this could now become a permanent fixture.
- The licence allows the licence holder to place removable furniture adjacent to their business premises considering the needs for all users.
- This extension is specifically for cafes, bars, restaurants, snack bars, coffee shops, ice cream parlours and public houses
Further information detailing this can be found www.gov.uk/government/publications/pavement-licences-draft-guidance/draft-guidance-pavement-licences-outdoor-seating-proposal
Our national love for the Queen remains undiminished and whether basking in glorious sunshine or seeking shelter from the rain of the classic bank holiday, high streets up and down the country will be adorned with bunting and pavements bustling with excited locals hitting the shops, cafes and restaurants, celebrating this milestone anniversary.
Ira Gershwin once quoted “ life is one long jubilee” if only!
If you want to find out more about how Expression supports independent business owners who love their business visit Expression Insurance.
Win a £300 voucher on Bira Direct Plus by entering our Jubilee competition
