Getting into gear for Proud of Pubs Week 2009
Whether it's with your own Proud of Pubs party, by engaging with a local MP or simply by selling Morrissey Fox Proud of Pubs Best Bitter, more and more publicans are getting involved in Proud of Pubs Week this year.
Politicians agreeing to meet with publicans and find out the positive message about the pub trade already include the shadow licensing minister Tobias Ellwood MP, and for the third year running former Tory leader Michael Howard.
Behind the scenes pub companies are also working hard to promote the week, which takes place from July 11 to 19, and help pubs make the most of the opportunity in their local communities.
The message, we hope, is clear: that the third Proud of Pubs Week is set to be the biggest yet.
Spirit of the week
Licensee Noel Clements of the Swan Inn in Rhyl, North Wales summed up the spirit of the week when he got in touch with The Publican last week.
"I get so much support from all the locals, especially when we do charity work - raising over £19,000 over nine years - that I feel it would be great to get involved in Proud of Pubs Week," he said.
"I am now into my sixth week as a tenant [after nine years as manager of the pub] and could ask no more from the customers and staff as regards their support. It's time to give something back to the customers."
Noel is planning a party and a series of promotions at the pub to coincide with the week.
Walford Taverns, a four-strong pubco based in Ramsgate, Kent has come up with a great initiative to push the Proud of Pubs message out to customers in the week.
An inter-pub challenge will see customers from all four of the company's pubs - the Australian Arms, the Flying Horse and the Churchill Tavern in Ramsgate and the nearby Jolly Farmer at Manston - competing across typical pub sports.
The pubco's Angela Harrison explains: "We're going to be running a pub quiz, pool, darts, karaoke and golf competitions across the week, and handing certificates to the winners.
"Too many pubs are closing down - there are four pubs in walking distance of the Australia Arms that have shut recently. It's important to remind people what pubs are for and Proud of Pubs helps us do that."
The Australian Arms will also be hosting a visit from MP Stephen Ladyman during the week.
Pubcos spreading the word
More pub companies are uniting behind the campaign this year, pushing the message out to the trade with their own communications, and helping us collate the positive message about the pub trade to promote during the week.
Kevin Georgel, operations director of Punch Taverns, said the UK's biggest pub company was delighted to be supporting Proud of Pubs Week.
"This is a great way for us to come together as one to focus on the positive side of the industry," he said.
"We remain fiercely proud of our pubs and naturally embrace a national campaign which is purely focused on celebrating the greatness of this part of British heritage, whilst providing creative and practical advice to licensees on how to boost their trade. We are encouraging all of our licensees to get behind the campaign!"
Bedford-based Charles well has also been getting behind the campaign.
Peter Wells, sales and marketing director, told The Publican: "One of the greatest lessons to have come out of the challenging conditions of the past 18 months is that great pubs will always prosper in any market conditions.
"At Charles Wells we do everything we can to work with our operators to help them deliver a great pub experience. The Proud of Pubs Week is a great initiative to highlight the wonderful characteristics and huge diversity of the Great British Pub. "We will certainly be getting behind it and will encourage all our operators to do the same."
At Marston's Pub Company Pete Lyne, head of retail solutions, said Proud of Pubs Week was a great way to promote the changing role of pubs as they diversify to meet customer needs.
"Any initiative that helps pubs communicate their role, whether its through their charitable fund raising, hosting local meetings and events or providing additional local services like a post office, take away or grocery store is worth getting behind for the future of the industry," he said.
They're getting behind it. What are you doing for Proud of Pubs Week?
1,001 things to do in pubs today
From boxing to bungee jumping, there are a huge number of things that go on in pubs today - and we want to hear them all.
The Publican is building a list of all of the most unusual things that go on in pubs today to coincide with Proud of Pubs Week.
Tell us about the most unusual things that you host in your pub. Email details and photographs to cebhqbschof@gurchoyvpna.pbz or call 020 7955 3710
