CAMRA sees support for National Pubs Week grow

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has beaten last year's figure on pubs pledging support for National Pubs Week.

CAMRA estimates that over 8,000 pubs have already signed up to celebrate the week, which takes place from February 21 to 28. Many pubs have contacted CAMRA with their ideas for events to encourage people to go to their local during that time.

The Ship Inn in Upper Framilode, Gloucestershire, is holding a local ales night, a cask ale festival will be held at the Horse & Trumpet in Leeds, while an intriguing sounding Sausage and Jazz evening will be staged at Ye Olde Bell and Steelyard in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

London brewer Fuller's has organised a Head Brewer Roadshow, where head brewer John Keeling will host a tasting of Fuller's beers.

Charles Wells has confirmed that it is linking up with Chiltern Radio and hopes to do a pub crawl with the breakfast show team. The company will also invite customers on a treasure hunt around its estate.

Mike Benner, CAMRA's head of campaigns, said: "There is still plenty of time for pubs that may have been too busy at Christmas to come on board. All they need to do is think about running a few events throughout the week and give CAMRA a call to place their order for a free promotional pack. This is a quiet time of the year for the pub trade and the more effort a pub puts in, the more rewards it will receive."

Call 01727 867201 to make your order, or order online at www.camra.org.uk/pubsweek.