High-quality seating is well-worth paying for. It makes a strong initial statement, doesn’t it? Take an evening stroll to a cosy auditorium for a talk by a distinguished academic, scientist or business leader, and the plush telescopic seating inside (designed to maximise use of venue space) can even somehow welcome you there, beckoning you into its warm and soft embrace. Whatever the venue, seating must look inviting, comfortable, stable and clean, as well as seeming compatible with the venue’s dimensions and décor, and the types of event commonly hosted there. But, most importantly, a custom-made retractable seating system must be safe.
And ALL seats should measure up, regardless of ticket pricing structure
Many venues across the world pride themselves upon having a broad choice of seating options, to suit the differing disposable income levels of event-goers. Smart venue owners recognise that although their seating pricing can range from low to middling to high, the quality and stability of chairs at each price level must always satisfy ticket-buyers. To ensure this, they should engage the services of a proven seating manufacturer with a reputation for excellence – preferably one that’s operational globally.
Beauty or toughness? Sophistication or sturdiness?
Most spectators will sit in the main seating area, of course, with only a privileged few enjoying everything that comes with VIP seating opulence. And, like at most modern venues worldwide these days, the seating is likely to be part of a retractable system, so that floor space can be freed-up partially of fully whenever required.
Venue owners considering switching to a contemporary telescopic system love the idea of the flexibility that ‘going retractable’ can bring, but, understandably, they’re often concerned about cost. Sadly, and despite applicable industry regulations and standards, some venues seek to save money by opting for low-quality seating. This usually proves a false economy and can be an irresponsible decision when it comes to protecting staff members’ and customers’ welfare. Expertise, experience and professionalism around the construction, assembly and engineering are a must.
Key to deciding exactly the sort of chairs you need (a major determinant in overall system price), is establishing what your venue is most frequently used for. After all, if you’re seeking retractable seating for a huge, high-ceilinged school hall or a compact ice hockey arena, you’d probably need to prioritise toughness and basic functionality over elegance, right? Just as if telescopic seating for an intimate theatre or auditorium is required, sumptuousness and sophistication will be more important to you than sourcing wipeable plastic seats in glossy ‘home team’ colours!
The good news is that there are seating options available to suit all types of venue. But, as aforementioned, it’s not all about comfort, cleanliness and compatibility.
Those who penny-pinch on seating may live to regret it
At venues large and small, replacing fixed seating with a properly-made retractable stand means that a theatre, concert hall or sporting arena environment can be created or dismantled in minutes, without fuss. Imagine that. One moment it’s there in all its splendour, the next, it’s entirely vanished! C’est fantastique. But it’s essential that venue staff are professionally trained in operating the telescopic stand’s controls, and that the stand itself has been designed and assembled by experts, not unprincipled engineers who choose to subtly flout the rules when it comes to design, production and installation.
The stability and safety of seating should never be compromised on. Those who look to cut corners, seeking to save money on seating, by commissioning an unscrupulous manufacturer for the design and build, might find that their seating system proves to be their most expensive business mistake, ever.
Retractable platforms must feel rock-solid
With customised seating solutions, longevity and reliability must always be built-in of course. And your retractable seating needs to be safe and secure, with no jamming, no broken seats, no tier fastening mechanisms suddenly becoming unlocked, no loose handrails, and no issues with the firmness and stability of retractable platforms. Furthermore, with all this opening and retracting, the potential for floor damage to occur can be a real concern (where a sub-standard seating system has been installed). Replacing flooring sections can involve an enormous financial outlay, meaning that the overall cost to your business could unexpectedly escalate. And what about the potential litigation costs should a system fault cause a physical injury to an audience member or employee?
Don’t forget about aisle lighting and seat numbering quality
Even failing to invest in good quality aisle lighting and seat numbering can put people at risk of falls, and of throwing hot drinks over other spectators as they stumble. And let’s not even get started on the potential horrific consequences of inferior seating stand design playing a role in a failed evacuation of a venue, in the event of a fire, flood, gas explosion or a terrorist attack. OK, these are rare events, but they do happen.
A wise investment will pay back for years
All this makes turning to seating system experts for advice vital, rather than optional. Make a wise investment in custom-made seating that not only looks amazing but is also legal, stable and reliable. Whatever you choose, a best-in-class seating system doesn’t end at design, manufacture and installation, make sure the long-term care and servicing your seating needs are taken care of too.