afternoon tea - platinum jubilee Fit for a Queen
Whether you’re a die-hard Diana fan or you think the monarchy should be abolished, there’s no denying that an extra bank holiday hits the spot. As the UK prepares to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II becoming the first British Monarch to reign for 70 years, a whole host of events and street parties are expected to take place over the four day Bank Holiday weekend in June.
T
he Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is set to be a huge, history-making event, providing a brilliant opportunity to get
together with your nearest and dearest, plan a street party with the neighbours or create an afternoon tea in the garden. What better opportunity to inspire
customers and pull in a little extra footfall than highlighting the top housewares products to help with Jubilee entertaining this summer? Whether its tools and gadgets to help cater for a crowd, colourful textiles and decor to brighten up your outdoor dining set up, or retro, 50s inspired tableware to provide a throwback to a bygone era, the upcoming Jubilee celebrations are sure to get consumers thinking about ways to update their cooking and dining set-up.
Mid-century revival According to Helen Snell, founder of retro design house 20th Century Cloth, the Jubilee
is sparking interest in mid-century modern styling, with the nation’s eyes on the classic stylings of the 50s. TV specials, street parties and extra Bank
Holidays will transport the nation back to a time when pastels and geometrics first came to the fore. Like the Queen, the interior design of the 50s continues to inspire. Helen said: “The 50s was a tremendous time for interior design. A design revolution was taking off across the world and the mid- century modern styling we are so familiar with today was emerging. The demand for functional, practical furnishings soared as homeowners continued to rebuild their homes in post-war Britain.
“Design also became more inspirational.
Women like Lucienne Day and Marion Mahler were breaking new ground with abstract designs and the imminent space race gave rise to astro-inspired patterns and prints. “For me, the 50s was an era where designers
looked to the future with hope and ambition, while fulfilling the need to create furniture and furnishings that not only appealed to the masses but could also be easily reproduced. It was a time for rebuilding – and boy did we do it in style.”
Helen uses traditional 1950s techniques – mark making by hand – to create her designs, all of which are manufactured in the UK.
A boost for footfall Retailers that stay open over the Jubilee weekend itself are also likely to benefit from increased footfall, with the four days off providing an opportunity to tap into increased consumer spending. According to a 2012 study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), one-off events like the jubilee and royal wedding create more tourism and potential purchasers for retailers and the service industry, with the research suggesting this could be worth a £1.1bn boost.
Jubilee products
Portable picnics: Create the ultimate outdoor dining experience with perfectly portable picnic accessories. Colourful blankets, cushions and throws scattered around the garden for people to sit on will create a real garden party vibe during the day.
Great British BBQ: No Jubilee party would be complete without some kind of feast, and with the summer solstice falling on 21 June, why not take advantage of the long summer evenings to cook outside? From traditional charcoal barbecues to gas-fuelled stoves, a BBQ lets food take on that characteristic smokiness and charring.
Pizza party: 2021’s most sought-after gadget, the home pizza oven! Offers something completely different to surprise guests
and add an extra something to the day.
Royal styling: The run up to the Jubilee weekend is the perfect time to encourage shoppers to review their tableware and outdoor décor to see whether there’s anything they want to update or invest in.
Pre-empt the weather: British weather is notoriously fickle, even in June, so fire pits or outdoor heaters will keep things cosy on summer nights, as well as providing a central focal point.
Festival of lights: LED string lights and outdoor lanterns create a festive atmosphere, creating a sense conversation inducing intimacy.
Red, white and blue: Putting primary colours together is always a great idea for decor, but in this case, stringing up some colourful Union Jack bunting will liven up any outdoor space. Pastels are an alternative option for a more traditional afternoon tea vibe. Tablescapes can be given a celebratory Royal twist with centrepieces in red, white and blue, flowers in vases or bright textiles and tableware can to help bring some colour to Jubilee celebrations.
March/April 2022
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