THE GUV'NOR

Yvonne Cleminson

Pubs need to create an experience to get people out of their homes, says the licensee of the Cherry Tree in Rowledge, Surrey

After April's beautiful sunny weather the trade was looking for an early start to good summer trading, with beer gardens filling with happy smiling people long before the English smoke ban comes into force on 1 July.

But May had other ideas, blowing in with rain, killing off the Bank Holiday, a traditionally high-trading time, and dampening spirits as well as our bank balances.

So where can we look now? To June, July, August and maybe an Indian summer in September.

Pub gardens are blossoming after the rain, with new trade umbrellas, pristine tables and jet-washed patios at the ready for those happy smiling families.

And where is everybody? At home in their own flourishing gardens with extremely cheap supermarket drink offerings as well as bargain BBQ packs of meat and prepared salads.

In January, I wrote in the MA about my concern about supermarkets using cheap beers as a loss-leader and felt encouraged that MP John Grogan was taking up the cause.

I am delighted to say the Government has at last recognised the problem of heavy discounting of alcohol under its national alcohol strategy, but what we need is action - now!

With greater hidden extra costs incurred by the change in legislation and lots more competition for customers, we need help to get them out of their homes and down to the pub where they can eat, drink and enjoy stimulating conversation without feeling they are being overcharged and under-valued.

With the new era of clean smoke-free pubs our industry has never been more ready.

In the face of the stay-at-home trend we need an experience to bring customers out and leave their gardens behind. I'm going to advertise "Catch your own goldfish" - not to BBQ, but because angling is Britain's favourite pastime..