Loud and proud

One year on from the launch of The Publican's Proud of Pubs campaign the proud message of the pub industry is now being spread far and wide. While...

One year on from the launch of The Publican's Proud of Pubs campaign the proud message of the pub industry is now being spread far and wide.

While hundreds of licensees have ranked behind the Proud of Pubs Charter, 85 MPs have signed up to the Proud of Pubs motion tabled by John Grogan MP in the House of Commons, backing the campaign and the pub trade in general.

Launched in September 2005 to spread the word about all the positive things that pubs are doing in their communities and encourage good practice across the industry, Proud of Pubs will continue to beat at the heart of the new-look Publican.

And now the message is hitting the small screen. Licensees across the UK can tune into the Proud of Pubs show on The Pub Channel, the TV channel available free to all subscribers of Sky Digital.

Four pubs which have been at the forefront of the campaign have been picked out to feature in the show, which will be broadcast regularly on the channel in the coming months.

Licensees John and Carol Cadwallader at the Spring Inn in Rochdale, Rowena Smith at the Old China Hand in Clerkenwell, London, Mick Soulsby at the Three Horseshoes in Yaxley, near Peterborough, and Andy and Linda Brooks at the Laughing Fish in Isfield, East Sussex, all star in the documentary, while The Publican's deputy editor Daniel Pearce explains the background to the campaign.

Alison Clarke, the show's producer, explains: "We are always keen to showcase what businesses are doing and share their ideas with other pubs watching the channel. The Proud of Pubs campaign is a great example of good practice and the importance of pubs being the centre of the community."

The Pub Channel team took about four weeks to put the programme together, over a period from the end of June to the middle of August.

"I spent five days researching the pubs, planning the filming days and scripting the programme," says Alison. "Once everything had been set-up we began filming and spent a day at each pub."

And Alison said she was hugely impressed with each of the pubs featured. "They all got involved in the Proud of Pubs campaign and made it their duty to stand up and shout about the good things they do in their community and about the exceptional roles their staff play in their pub."

Watch the Proud of Pubs show on The Pub Channel to find out more about all of the pubs involved, and the campaign at large.

Who's who in the show

Carol and John Cadwallader

The Spring Inn in Rochdale is run by Carol and John Cadwallader.

The team has featured twice in our Proud of Your Staff feature, taking the top £250 prize in June, while the pub itself was named Family Pub of the Year at the Publican Awards 2006.

In the show, Carol and John explain how they empower their staff to run charity nights at the pub, and how they have raised thousands of pounds in the process for the nearby Springhill hospice.

Licensee Carol explains: "The day of filming was a very interesting experience! Our waitress Doreen was a bit nervous about being filmed but the Pub Channel producer relaxed her very well. But this was the second time we've been on TV as we were on a local channel once before."

Pub Channel producer Alison describes the Spring Inn as a "beautiful community pub".

"What impressed me about this pub was how highly John and Carol regard their customers, they do all kinds of things such as opening a small library so that people can exchange books and hosting regular events to raise money for the Spring Hill Hospice," she says. "And the feelings are mutual as the customers get involved with the charity events too."

Mick Soulsby

The licensee at the Three Horseshoes in Yaxley, near Peterborough, is another publican who really values his customers.

Mick Soulsby featured in our A Pub To Be Proud Of series of profiles in October 2005 after launching a subsidised taxi scheme, ensuring customers are not tempted to drive home after a night in the pub.

He describes how the scheme has helped him boost sales in the Three Horseshoes, with a number of regular customers now making use of the service.

"Mick implemented the scheme at Christmas to allow all his customers to have a good time and the peace of mind that they can drink and still get home safely," comments Alison.

"He showed how responsibly he sees his role in his pub and in the community and I think that is a great example that many pubs should follow."

Rowena Smith

The Old China Hand in Clerkenwell, London featured in The Publican in January 2006 after licensee Rowena Smith nominated her team for our Proud of Your Staff feature.

Rowena explains in the documentary how her staff are helping her drive the business forward. This was particularly true last New Year's Eve when they persuaded her to open the pub, which is in a non-residential area - and it reaped the benefits as a result.

Rowena describes the day of filming as "great fun".

"We were all feeling a bit nervous about going on TV but we really enjoyed it, and I think some of the staff learnt from the experience," she says. "The questions I was asked on camera really made me think about my business. I think there should be more pubs on TV."

Pub Channel producer Alison said the production team were well looked after at the pub."What impressed me was her long-serving staff member Annette," remembers Alison. "She would approach you with a smile and when you watched her work she continued that smile throughout the day. In the programme Rowena spoke highly about her and from meeting Annette I could see why."

Andy and Linda Brooks

Andy and Linda Brooks at the Laughing Fish in Isfield, East Sussex, featured in The Publican in February.

The couple, who are fulfilling a dream after years spent in other jobs, explain how they bring all their experience from working in retail and catering to the business of running a pub.

Alison comments: "I admired Andy and Linda at the Laughing Fish in Isfield because they always thought about running a pub and actually went through with it.

"I think that was impressive especially after Andy spent 20 years working as a manager at Marks & Spencer and Linda as a caterer. They knew it would be a challenge but they researched what they liked and disliked about pubs, used the skills that they had and put everything into making the business a success, which it is."

If the programme inspires you to show your pride in your pub why not contact the new-look Publican and let us know all about it.

Email danielp@thepublican.com. We're Proud of Pubs. Are you?

Join the Proud of Pubs campaign

* Sign the Proud of Pubs Charter and show your commitment to trading responsibly

* Write to your MP and ask them to add their name to the Proud of Pubs motion in the House of Commons and show their support for the pub trade

* Nominate your staff for our Proud of Your Staff feature, which offers a £250 cash prize to the top team every month

* Ask The Publican for some free campaign badges and beermats - photograph a famous customer with them and you could win a star prize

* Contact The Publican and tell us about your business - and we could feature your pub in a Pub To Be Proud Of profile

For more details call 020 7955 3710.

When you can watch Proud of Pubs on the box

Tuesday September 12

10.30am 1.30pm 4.30pm 7.30pm 10.30pm