More than 200 exhibitors are taking part in this year's Pub & Bar show at London's Olympia. Phil Mellows previews what will be showing
As an independent business person, life can be lonely. You work away, doing what you think's best, but how do you know that you aren't missing a vital opportunity?
Next week you will get a once-in-a-year chance to shatter your isolation when Pub & Bar 2001 opens in Olympia's Grand Hall. Running from Monday, September 24 to Wednesday, September 26, Pub & Bar is the exhibition for the licensed trade designed to put purchasers from freehouses and tenanted and managed outlets, as well as pubco HQs, in touch with their suppliers.
More than 200 exhibitors are taking part offering food, spirits, cask beer, lager, non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment, wine, snacks, EPoS solutions, outdoor furniture, refrigeration options, equipment for the kitchen and cellar, security and air conditioning.
This year sees many of the show's sponsors continuing their support including the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the British Institute of Innkeeping, brewer Greene King and British Meat while new supporters of the show include ITV Digital, Cask Marque, The Beer Seller, the Food Standards Agency and The Pub Channel.
If you are a landlord, licensee, proprietor, tenant, manager, assistant manager, bar manager, chef, managing director, chief executive, catering development manager, executive chef, operations director, marketing director, business development manager or area manager you simply cannot afford to miss this year's Pub & Bar.
Opening times:
Monday, September 2411am - 6pmTuesday, September 2510.30am - 6pmWednesday, September 2610.30am - 5pm
Ruddles showcase to cap fresh new image
For the second year running, Greene King is sponsoring Pub & Bar with one of its flagship brands.
Building on the successful presence of Greene King IPA last year, the Suffolk brewer is now using the event to showcase Ruddles County to trade colleagues and customers.
This year has been an important one for Ruddles County as marketing manager Sarah Whyte explained.
"Ruddles County was a brand that had drifted over a number of years," she said.
"It had quite a few changes in ownership which caused confusion and a lack of direction.
"This, combined with insufficient investment and a declining cask ale market, led to a fall in its distribution and sales."
Earlier this year, following its acquisition of the brand through the takeover of Morland, Greene King relaunched Ruddles County with a fresh new image and renewed energy and focus. Its high profile at Pub & Bar is seen as an important part of increasing the brand's profile.
"Ruddles County has always been symbolic of the English countryside - of tradition, strength and growth," said Sarah. "We want to give the brand a more contemporary feel and a real sense of the future.
"We are delighted to be sponsoring Pub & Bar with Ruddles County during a year which has seen the beer enjoy some great results.
"We hope our colleagues and customers who are attending the event will take the opportunity to enjoy a pint of County with us and share in the brand's success."
ALMR hosts dope debate
Talk of decriminalising cannabis has led some pub operators to think that there could be an opportunity here for the trade.
After all, pubs are licensed to sell alcohol, so surely the trade represents a ready-rolled way of controlling the drug's sale and distribution?
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) will be tackling the issue head on in this year's Pub & Bar debate with a blow-by-blow discussion titled What's the GP on a Joint.
Taking place on Tuesday September 25, the matter will be calculated by Phil Dixon, stubbed out by Richard Slater and chaired by John McKeown.
The debate starts after lunch at 2.15pm.
Cannabis is just one of the many industry issues Pub & Bar is bringing to the forefront of the exhibition this year using interactive features to highlight in particular food, cask beer, wine and technology.
Also, Robbie Halkett of Laurel Pub Company will be talking about the virtues of competition in the licensed retail business and the role of the operations manager as a whole.
For tickets to these events contact Tim Chapman at the ALMR on 020 8579 2080 or go to www.almr.org.uk.
It's a perfect place to meat
Sponsored by Electricity Direct and British Meat, the Pub Food Cookery Theatre brings together a selection of chefs creating menu ideas which visitors can take back to their own outlets.
Zoë Arnott, supply sector manager for British Meat Foodservice, promises "an expert team of butchers and chefs to demonstrate the versatility of beef, lamb and pork".
"British Meat has done a considerable amount of work on developing good quality cuts of meat that provide real value for money and caterers will be able to see this for themselves, both on our stand at the exhibition and in the Cookery Theatre," she said.
This year's chefs come from British Meat and the Sea Fish Industry Authority represented by M & J Sea Foods and Simsons Fisheries.
More about Pub & Bar 2001:
Cask ale
Food safety
Recruitment
Business development
The internet
New products
Training
The Pub Channel
Cocktails
Wine
ITV Digital Bar
Exhibitor List