Snifter
T5 trade takes off
The ongoing chaos at the billion-pound Terminal Five building at Heathrow Airport was not mirrored in the new development's pubs and bars.
Both Geronimo Inns and JD Wetherspoon reported high levels of trade and few problems — although some customers were feeling the emotional strain of flight cancellations and delayed baggage.
Geronimo commercial director, Ed Turner, said that the company's new site, the Five Tuns, located land-side, where the majority of stranded passengers found themselves, has "exceeded all expectations".
He said: "The staff coped incredibly well. We opened at four on Thursday morning and were full for the whole day. It was manic."
Wetherspoon's two sites at Terminal Five, the Crown Rivers and Wetherspoon Express, had a calmer day as the units are positioned air-side where things ran smoothly, with a lower volume of passengers.
Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson
said: "It was a good day,
but things weren't as manic our side. We had no issues with staff passes and it
was a good opportunity
for them to get used to
the site."
Public House of Commons
Licensees across the country have been lining up to join the campaign to ban Chancellor Alistair "pub-lic enemy number one" Darling from their pubs. The MA's forum has been buzzing with comments of support for the move and this post from Lloyd Barrett tickled Snifter's funnybone: "Might as well bar Gordon [Brown] as well while I'm here. John Prescott's always welcome, though. I make the real money on food." Get involved via www.morningadvertiser.co.uk.
Bob begins baby-kissing
Well-known Wiltshire licensee and campaigner Robert Feal-Martinez, below, is making his voice heard again. The licensee of the Carpenters' Arms, Swindon, issued a press release saying that UKIP (UK Independence Party) is the only party that can help the pub trade — Feal-Martinez is to stand as a UKIP candidate in local elections.
This followed a vote on the MA's website that found 65% of people believed UKIP is the best party for pubs. However, one forum poster on the Swindon Advertiser seemed less than supportive, referring to him as "Meal-Fartinez". A "genuine mistake", he claimed.
55 years and still pulling
The search for Britain's longest-serving barmaid is hotting up. The latest to claim the title is Sylvia Johnson, Punch lessee of the Great Horse, in Wolverhampton, a barmaid for an amazing 55 years. Last week the MA reported that Warwickshire barmaid Sandra Key had spent 51 years as a barmaid at the same pub.
Sylvia plied her trade at a number of Wolverhampton pubs before taking the lease at the Great Horse 13 years ago, although she still works behind the bar. The 70-year-old pulled her first pint aged 17. "She is poorly at the moment," said manager Tracy Fleet. "A mention in the paper will cheer her up a treat." Snifter is happy to oblige.
Just let us brew in peace
Activist investors have been besieging the good folk at Adnams with fresh requests for changes to its share structure. A consultation exercise by the company had shown "strong support" for retaining the existing shares and "minimal appetite" for a change to the articles governing them. In other words, most of our shareholders are perfectly happy so please go away.
Sutcliffe to look into lap dancing
Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe is a busy chap. Even in these multi-tasking days for ministers, he must hold some sort of record - having responsibilities for sport, gambling, horseracing, the Tote, the National Lottery, regional policy and local Government, education and social policy, better regulation, and of course licensing. Now he's got to sort out lap dancing.
The issue came up in a Westminster debate the other day, when some MPs suggested the licensing of lap dancing should be governed by the 1982 Local Government Act, and not the 2005 Licensing Act. Sutcliffe is to get together with his Home Office oppo, Vernon Coaker, and look into it. Quite how much field research will be required is unsure. But Snifter is happy to help out if required.
