Focus Outdoor: weatherproof screens

In the effort to take all the attractions of a pub from indoors to outdoors, weatherproof screens are starting to play their part. The latest on the market is the Aquivo range specially developed by leisure industry AV supplier Sensav to enable pubs to entertain customers outdoors following the smoking ban.

As well as screening football and other sports, Sensav, which has a tie-up with pub screen entertainment provider Avanti Screenmedia, is promoting Aquivo as a way to show music and lifestyle videos, promotional messages and advertising.

Screens are available in a range of sizes from 26in, to 55in with an anti-theft wall bracket and optional insurance cover. The screen is contained inside a 3.2mm toughened-glass casing and has an anti-reflective surface and tilting bracket to minimise glare.

"Speaking to our customers leading up to the smoking ban there was clear demand for a secure and reliable audio visual product that could operate outdoors," says Sensav director Mike Nield, who claims Aquivo has "brighter aspect and better contrast ratios than other comparable products".

Sales in the first month have exceeded expectations, and one licensee who is happy with her screens is Jenny Harrison of the Swan at Three Mile Cross, near Reading.

"The outdoor screens are fantastic," she says. "We're finding many customers are staying outside longer - and that's not just the smokers. The screens have been great for business and well worth the investment. I think they have added to the length of time people are staying in the pub."

To find out more visit www.sensav.com or call 0800 058 2555.