Setting up a cloakroom system from scratch

Setting up a cloakroom isn’t rocket science, but the details determine whether it runs smoothly or hits a snag on the busiest nights. This complete starter guide takes you through all the choices — from type and equipment to staff, space and liability — so you can establish a professional cloakroom from scratch.

1. Determine your cloakroom type

The first question sets all your following decisions: is your cloakroom permanent (pub, theatre, museum, restaurant) or temporary (event, festival, wedding)? A permanent cloakroom requires a fixed location, sturdy coat racks or cloakroom rails, and an established workflow. A temporary cloakroom is all about speed and simplicity: set up, use, pack away — no hassle afterwards.

2. Choose your coat tickets

For the vast majority of venues, a set of pre-printed paper coat tickets is the practical choice: 1000 pieces for £59, numbered 1 to 1000 and supplied in two blocks of 500. Each ticket consists of two identical halves — one attached to the coat, one for the guest. For a premium look, choose the deluxe black with silver (500 pieces, £59.95). Have lots of bags or suitcases? Then self-adhesive luggage labels are more convenient. And if you need your own logo, text or numbering, print it yourself using the Coatcheck+ ticket printer.

3. Calculate the right number

Rule of thumb: 60-80% of your expected peak attendance. For 300 guests, plan for 180-240 tickets. Adjust for the season (higher in winter, lower in summer) and order generously — you’ll have tickets left over for next time. The full calculation method is in our guide how many coat tickets do I need, or use the calculator directly.

4. Arrange the physical space

Place the cloakroom by the entrance — visible, but not in the middle of the main walkway. Use numbered hooks or rows so ticket 247 hangs on hook 247; this saves heaps of searching time at peak moments. Provide enough cloakroom rails and hangers, and create a logical flow without intersecting traffic.

5. Plan your staff

Count on 1 staff member per around 75 guests during the peak, with at least 2 people. The busiest times are on arrival and at the end of the evening; that’s where you concentrate your capacity. Work in pairs: one accepts coats and hands out the number, the other hangs them up.

6. Arrange liability

Display a visible cloakroom policy before the point where guests leave their coats. Want a disclaimer on the ticket itself? That’s possible with the Coatcheck+ ticket printer. Garderobe.nl offers a free template policy. Full details are in our guide liability at the cloakroom.

7. Train your team

The basic role is simple: accept, hang up, issue number, retrieve, return. Speed and politeness make the difference. Walk through the five fixed steps once together and then have new staff shadow shifts — they’ll pick it up within a single shift. Our guide for cloakroom staff goes into more detail.

What does a complete start cost?

For an average venue, the investment stays low: a set of 1000 paper tickets (£59), one or more cloakroom rails and enough hangers. With this, you can run a professional cloakroom straight away. If you scale up to daily use with your own branding, the Coatcheck+ ticket printer will pay for itself in time.