Proud message goes to the top
Publicans will be taking the proud message of the pub trade to the top next week as the second Proud of Pubs Week blazes a trail across the UK.
After months of preparation licensees are meeting with MPs in pubs and in Parliament this week, while the Proud of Pubs mission reaches customers in pub events up and down the country.
High-profile MPs from Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell to former Tory leader Michael Howard are among more than 100 politicians visiting pubs in their constituencies.
And some of the country's leading licensees were coming together at the House of Commons on Monday to mark the launch of the week at a reception hosted by Publican columnist and Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland.
Howard, the MP for Folkestone & Hythe, is getting behind the week for the second year running - this year visiting the British Lion in Folkestone.
He told The Publican: "The British pub is a great British institution, and I am really looking forward to visiting the Black Bull next Friday.
"The pub is at the centre of the local community and Proud of Pubs Week is an excellent way of celebrating that."
Mulholland added: "This year's Proud of Pubs Week is more important than ever. I am calling on everyone who is proud of being British to mark the week by going to and supporting their local pubs.
"2008 has so far been a very difficult year for pubs, but it is also the year we must fight back and save the great British pub."
Greene King is among the pub companies promoting the week to licensees.
David Elliott, managing director of Greene King Pub Partners, said: "Proud of Pubs week will help firmly put the pub back into customers' minds.
"I would encourage every pub up and down the country to contact their local paper or radio stations and tell them what they are doing for Proud of Pubs Week. Whether it's giving your oldest customers a free pint or raising cash for a local charity, you'll be making your pub a place your community will be proud of."
Around the country
What publicans are doing in Proud of Pubs Week
Shane Langford, the Spreadeagle, Blackburn
"On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we are doing a buy one get one free on meals to help out with the credit crunch, obviously people can't afford as much at the moment. On Wednesday, we're having what we are calling a green day. There'll be no lights being used all day and the pub will be lit with candles to try and save some energy."
Janet Wilkinson, the George and Dragon, Whitley, North Humberside
"We are going to have lots of entertainment going on throughout the week, such as darts tournaments, quizzes and music, culminating in a name-the-bear competition and a tug-of war on the Saturday evening.
"Each team pay a small entry fee and the money we make will go to a charity."
Darren Cheeseman, the Hit Or Miss, Stamford, Lincolnshire
"We're using Proud of Pubs Week to launch our kitchen extension - the pub will be serving food for the first ever time.
"We'll also be celebrating with a darts competition. We've sent a press release off to the local newspaper to hopefully get all the punters in."
Holly Royal, the Halsey Arms, Pulham, Dorset
"We're supporting Proud of Pubs Week by getting in some local ales from the new Dorset Piddle Brewery, as well as putting on live music from a local singer, and a karaoke night."
Helen Blake, the Old Comical, Sandown, the Isle of Wight
"We've got our local MP Andrew Turner coming in on Saturday and we've spoken to our local paper and the island radio station to try and get lots of publicity.
"The island will be running it's Miss Regatta carnival on the same day, and we'll be putting on plenty of music and classic games such as a tombola. We are very proud to be involved in this campaign - more publicans need to get involved. As a family we are fully committed to Proud of Pubs."
Ian Bell, the Star Inn, Talybont-on-Usk, Powys
"We've got lots planned, with a charity quiz and live music. We're famous for our curry as our chef has all his own recipes and makes everything from scratch, so we'd like to get some people in to try out more of them!"
What are you doing in Proud of Pubs Week? CLICK HERE for ideas
