Perk up performance

According to new research, 30% of pub customers also visit a coffee chain in a week and 46% of customers "don't know" why

they use coffee shops.

The opportunity for pubs to offer hot beverages is obvious and since the smoking ban many more licensees have added hot beverages to their pub's offer.

But while many operators now offer coffee in their pubs, my recent experiences on a coffee-sampling tour around Brighton pubs (slept well that night!) were that, although the majority of pubs now serve coffee, the quality and marketing of their offer is lacking. Badly-made coffee, dirty cups, poor staff knowledge and no marketing of the offer were the various crimes against coffee that I experienced.

It may only be an add-on part of the business for many licensees, but if you are going to the bother of offering hot bevs, then you need to give them the same focus and passion as other areas of your business.

With coffee chains such as Starbucks and Caffè Nero giving increasing focus to their food offer, pubs need to watch their backs. If they don't perk up the quality and promotion of their coffee, they may find themselves losing their food trade to customers who also want to enjoy a decent cup of coffee.

Where is the UK's top gastropub?

Don't miss next month's issue of PubChef where we reveal who the industry voted the UK's top 30 gastropubs.

The Anchor & Hope topped the poll last year, but has it managed to hold on to the winning spot?

See you next month,

Jo Bruce, PubChef editor

Leave a message: 01293 610487 or email jo.bruce@william-reed.co.uk

Lucy Britner: 01293 610365 or email lucy.britner@william-reed.co.uk