Croydon
At the Fisherman's Arms in Croydon, Joe Egan is battling to turn around a pub that had been used by drugs dealers accompanied by their armed bodyguards and frequented by crack and heroin addicts. Only days earlier armed police had called to arrest a customer thought to have a firearm, which turned out to be a taser: a gun that fires a high voltage electric charge into its victims.
Egan took over the pub last September and is starting to attract more desirable customers but admits it is going to be a long haul. Apart from going through the application for a premises licence, Egan, who has been in the trade for 17 years, is eager to press Tempest for action on a number of fronts.
Problem 1: Egan wants to increase his percentage of machine income, which currently stands at around 30%.
BDM's response: Tempest explains the error is down to the machine supplier not implementing an instruction by Fuller's that it should be 50%. Tempest resolves to settle the issue as a matter of urgency.
Problem 2: Egan also wants action over the non-installation of a flash cooler for Carling Extra Cold. This is a major concern for Egan because he's pushed Carling volumes up by 64% compared to a year ago and feels Extra Cold will help him attract a group of high spenders who presently use a pub down the road. He tells his BDM: "We've got to go for Carling activity. I'm more expensive than the pub down the road, so price isn't an issue. It is a case of adding value."
BDM's response: Tempest promises to chase Coors over the cooler and see what offers and promotions he can squeeze from the brewer to attract the big spenders.
Problem 3: Egan is also keen to remodel the bar area to increase space, rationalise the siting of some of the fonts on the awkwardly shaped, split-level bar, and generally make the place more inviting by installing items such as discreet lighting.
BDM's response: Tempest tells him to discuss the matter when a surveyor visits the following week to look at a problem with damp.
Two months later: The machine income had been sorted out to Egan's satisfaction. The flash coolers had been reordered, but had not yet been installed. Fuller's had spent £20,000 refurbishing and redecorating the pub and the premises licence had been sent to solicitor Poppleston Allen for processing.
Licensee's verdict: Despite Tempest's help, Egan is struggling with cashflow and talks of quitting, saying: "The fundamental problem is the price I have to pay Fuller's for the beer and there are just too many pubs in the area. Tim has been nothing but supportive and is doing all he can but the price of the beer is too high."