Entertainment is at the heart of pubs. Whether it's putting on a fully fledged quiz night, or simply providing a space for customers to meet and share each other¹s company, a lot of what pubs are about is making people happy.
But are you maximising the opportunity for entertainment in your pub? During Proud of Pubs Week, why not take the opportunity to find out and raise some money for charity to boot?
Elton Mouna, who as retail marketing manager for the Fuller's pub estate is responsible for getting the entertainment offer right in 156 pubs across the south of the country, says it's an area that too many pubs overlook.
"Entertaining customers is so important. But what's most important is that you entertain them in an appropriate way for your pub," he says.
"Licensees can get it wrong without considering exactly who their customers are. If you¹ve got the sort of place where a lot of people pop in for a drink after work, you¹re unlikely to have too much success with entertainment late at night."
Fuller's is asking every one of its managed houses to try out different entertainment nights during its own week of action later this year.
Ranging from an evening of champagne, chocolate and pampering for the ladies to a Beer Garden Opera, the Fuller's licensees will be trying out a host of different themed evenings as they look to attract new customers.
What are you doing?
The Star Inn in Peterborough has already put on video snail racing and race nights this year.
For Proud of Pubs Week, licensee Pauline Pugh is planning a beer tasting night, and is dusting down traditional pub games such as quoits and shove-ha¹penny to get the evening going.
³We tend to put on four major events every year,² she says. ³Video snail racing was really good fun. You do get more people in for this sort of thing, and we always get some new faces but if you do them too many times, people get bored.² The pub raised £242 for the Great Ormond Street charity with the snail racing night and is hoping to reach a similar target in Proud of Pubs Week. ³We¹re not the biggest pub in the world, but if every pub could raise something like that four times a year it would really help,² Pauline says.
And entertainment will also play a factor in ensuring the pub attracts new customers now that England¹s smoking ban is in place.
³We have a lovely garden and a covered patio area,² says Pauline. ³But what¹s most important is that we¹ll be having the same friendly atmosphere after the ban as we¹ve always had.² That¹s a great message and, for pubs in England, putting on your own event during Proud of Pubs Week will give you a chance to showcase your own atmosphere to people who could be thinking about visiting their local pub for the first time.
A limited number of Proud of Pubs packs featuring posters, badges and other material are still available. For your pack, email proudofpubs@thepublican.com or call 020 7955 3710
15 ideas for a fun evening in Proud of Pubs Week
Charity auction
Cheese & wine evening
Beer & food matching
Beers of the world themed evening
Speciality food evening
'Pay what you want' meal evening
School dinners, with money-off meals for customers in school uniform
Hog roast
Traditional pub games
Themed pub quizzes
Magic show
Local comedians
Open 'mic' nights
Live music
Fancy dress
Customer Oscars night to celebrate and acknowledge your regulars