Paul Wells
Paul Wells, chief executive, Charles Wells
Corporate goal for the year?
We will continue to grow our pub estate gently, with investment in the pubs to really make them the first choice for customers.
The beer brands from the brewery will benefit from more marketing investment than ever before, which will help to raise the profile of our specialist beers, especially cask ale.
Any opportunity to grow your business?
Yes, possibly more opportunity, but for us it's not about the number of pubs, it's about the quality of each pub we own, and the quality of the earnings for the licensee and the sustainability of the income to us.
If there is a downturn in the economy, how bad is it going to get?
The reality is that food-cost inflation and fuel costs are big numbers in weekly disposable income, and they're increasing rapidly. I think they are hurting our consumers' pockets more than concerns about, say, house prices. The key indicator heralding downturn is unemployment; any increase in this and these spiralling non-discretionary costs become unaffordable.
Where's the light at the end of the tunnel?
Great pubs are run by great people and serve great beer. This "virtuous triangle" is a constant in our industry because, in the end, people love a great pub. So this has to be a well-invested building, with staff well trained in beer and in service standards.
If political pressure increases, what's our best form of defence?
It's vital for the silent majority to make their voices heard. There's a huge debate coming about alcohol and society and it's important that those people - most people - who enjoy alcohol in moderation make their voices heard.
Biggest challenge your business faces?
It has to be the economy. If there is more to the crisis in the banking sector, more interest rate increases and further price rises in food and petrol, to name a few, then the consumer will simply refuse to spend.
Personal goal for the year?
With our developing pub estate in France, it's time to admit that the O-level French no longer cuts the moutarde. Got to learn the real thing.
Favourite quotation or business adage?
This year make your pub, bar, club, poles
apart from the others with cask ale. It's a huge point of difference and it's just the job to counter the dreaded supermarket/off-licence price deals.
