Weird and wonderful dates help licensees thrive

Making the most of weird and wonderful dates in the diary can help raise revenue, according a to a pair of licensees.

Charlie and Carole Edgeler have just celebrated their first anniversary as tenants at St Austell's Jubilee Inn in Pelynt Cornwall.

And marking an array of occasions along the way has been key to bringing in business and establishing the pub at the heart of the community.

As well as putting on events for more obvious dates such as Valentine's, Mothers Day and Burns' Night the couple, who were previously managers at the Norway Inn in Truro, have also celebrated slightly more obscure occasions.

Charlie said: "In September we decided to be the "Cornish" venue for the Last Night of the Proms. Being the "Jubilee Inn" we are a pretty patriotic lot here and the event suited our type of customers.

"A lot of advance planning and promotion went into the event including an imaginative themed menu and borrowing extra digital TV screens so everyone could see."

They also hosted harvest festival celebrations, which included an auction and themed menu.

And even more dates have been picked out for 2009 including Chinese New Year and local festival St Piran's Day.

Charlie said keeping on top of the diary has helped establish the Jubilee as the focal point of the local community.

"I can highly recommend running events appropriate to your particular pub, planning and promoting them well in advance. This has worked really well for us."

Dates to look out for in 2009…

The BII suggests that some of the following could appeal to your customers

Jan 17 - Al Capone's birthday - potential Gangster and Moll night

March 8 - Last day at Crufts - why not hold a competition to judge the best in show locally

August 22 - Wizard of Oz released 70 years ago - fancy dress party opportunity

September 16 - Mexican Independence Day - a chance to provide some chilli and fajitas

November 23 - Bingo invented 80 years ago, should help you get a full house.