How important are real ales to your business?

John Royce

Kestor Inn Newton Abbot Devon

'They are very important to us, mainly because people drink them! We have three main ales on and we like to keep them fresh and turned over in tip-top condition. Our turnover is not massive, but every so often we have a guest ale on as well. This pub is much more of an ale pub and we get lots of walkers coming in. They like the ales rather than lagers. They will come in for one rather than attract more heavy drinkers.

Dougie Wilkinson

U Bar

Cannock

West Midlands

'I am a late-night operator so real ale does not come into it. I would like it to be introduced though, as I think it is a drink young people want to taste and sample, but my cellar is quite a distance away and it would be awkward to look after it. I couldn't get the quality you need. It could be a good thing though, and I think young people could be turned on to the different flavours and shades.

Joyce Bennett Eclipse

Lower Clapton London

'I would say quite important. We have four real ales on. They are not the top sellers, but I think it is important we have them. It is not really that hard to keep them in top condition, but it just means you can't order in large quantities. We probably sell more lager than anything else but wine is also close. We have just invested in a new till which will show us for sure.

Joyce Robinson

Travellers Rest Skeeby

North Yorkshire

'Well, we have two real ales so they are relatively important to us. We have Black Sheep and John Smith's cask ale on at the moment and they sell well. There isn't a favourite one and the split is probably around 50:50. We do far more real ale then lager at the pub here.