Newky Broon — or is it?
Multiple operator Tony Brookes has jumped at an opportunity. Brookes, who runs the Head of Steam chain, has bought a large batch of Newcastle Brown Ale with a difference. In December 2007, Scottish & Newcastle produced a special label for their 33cl Newcastle Brown Ale to celebrate band Maxïmo Park playing at Newcastle's Arena. The special label called the beer Maxïmo Park Brown Ale. As part of Brookes's Stuff the Supermarkets campaign, customers can get two bottles free to take home, with six bottles purchased.
Morgan sent
to Portugal
David Morgan, below, scourge of the pubcos, won a rather nice holiday in Portugal in the raffle at the BII luncheon last week. It was kindly donated by Punch. Perhaps it's become a one-way ticket.
One man's hero...
Heavy voting for the Wells & Young's competition to find the UK's most iconic figure, which was won, you'll remember, by Winston Churchill. Among those, though, receiving a single vote were Mr Blobby, Ainsley Harriott, Roland Rat — and Wells boss Paul Wells. Shurely shome misshtake?
Buck-passing
extraordinaire
Some indication of what it takes to torpedo a good carvery offer — pestilence or flooding of biblical proportions. The Winterton Arms at Crockerhill, Chicester, does a roaring carvery trade. Each time it rains hard, though, the junction of the nearby A27 and the village ends up six inches under water. Each time landlord Ivan Wheal has called West Sussex County Council and the Highways Agency to report the problem, only to be stuck in the middle of a blame game between the two. A recent Wednesday saw absolutely nobody manage to get through to enjoy his carvery — an indication, if ever there was one, of how bad the flood is.
Swopping pints for pizzas
Rather sad news emerging from Fuller's. Public relations supremo Georgina Wald is heading off in August to take up a similar role at pizza chain Domino's. Snifter's favorite story about the enterprising Wald revolves around the time she called a local radio station in the Havant area to invite drinkers for a free pint of London Pride at a local Fuller's pub after Havant & Waterlooville acquitted themselves rather well against mighty Liverpool in the FA Cup. The radio station cottoned on eventually — but not until Wald had launched her public relations torpedo. We'll miss you, George.
