Pitcher & Piano takes a lead from Disney

While no one could call it a Mickey Mouse operation, the Pitcher & Piano bar chain believes it would be far from goofy to try and emulate Disney's success.

P&P is sending four managers to the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida as part of an incentive designed to boost customer service. The managers earned the trip based on their sales performance over six months.

The successful quartet were general managers Steve Spooner of Birmingham, Mina Miilunpalo of Islington and Alistair Walsh of Harrogate, and operations manager Christopher Van't Wout.

At the Institute they will undertake the Disney Approach to Quality Service training programme. The trip also includes a chance to sample the ambience of some of Orlando's most vibrant bars.

Pitcher & Piano managing director Mike Dowell said: "We wanted to offer an aspirational incentive that would provide the individuals with world class learning in customer service - not the sort of thing usually available to bar managers.

"It's great to be able to reward employees and provide them with something of value. We will bring the benefit of their learning back into our business for all P&P managers."