E-mail elbow... Clocking on...Lose the chews...
Luddite pubco Greene King took a swipe at modern technology this month by banning its sales development managers from using e-mail for six months.
The move was to free SDMs, who the company claimed were being 'bogged down' with unnecessary e-mails, to help tenants. 'The general reaction to the ban has been good, although some managers were hesitant at first,' said a spokeswoman.
In contrast, Worcestershire licensee Colin 'Mad Pierre' Robinson proved he had no such qualms about using computers. The host ordered a time-card machine from the internet, which allows customers to 'clock in' when they enter his pub to earn free booze. Customers get a free drink for every 10 hours they spend in the Lamb at West Malvern, and they can accumulate credit over a number of visits. 'It's just a silly idea I had,' said the Punch tenant, 'but the locals are enjoying taking part.'
Chewing gum became the hot topic at bars in Cannock, West Midlands, after licensees floated plans to ban gum at all pubs in the town. Licensees were fed up with having to pay for the sticky treat to be cleaned from carpets, tables and clothing. One idea was to issue pubwatch bans for anyone caught spitting their gum on to pub floors. Enterprising host Dougie Wilson planned to sell mints from his bar to appease gum fans.
A Kent host was left perplexed after being told he had to take down the hop bines that decorated his pub. Fire authorities said dried foliage posed a fire risk, and the bines had to be taken down so the 16th-century Woolpack in Warehorne could pass its fire-safety audit.
