Pub food: business boosters
Ideas for driving food sales at your pub.
Beauty nights
Where: Lion Inn, Trellech, Monmouthshire
The idea: Licensee Debbie Zsigo says: "A local lady, Sarah Whiddett, sells specialist makeup and we came up with the idea of Girls' Nights Inn. We sell tickets and a group of women learn beauty tips and try products. They just take up a corner of the pub. And I give them a glass of wine and put out a finger buffet."
What we needed: "My budget is small, so I made posters. I advertised in-house, on my website, and in the local paper. About half the women were Sarah's clients."
Business benefits: "Tickets cost £8, of which £5.50 went to me, and I've gained regulars from holding the event. It's also about getting bums on seats."
Top tip: Displaying posters at the correct height can make all the difference.
Why do it: Working in partnership with local entrepreneurs adds value and promotes your profile.
Childrens' pancake day event
Where: Peach pub, the Almanack, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
The idea: The new Almanack children's menu was launched by holding an afternoon of fun and games on Shrove Tuesday, offering kids the chance to road-test the new dishes and make their own pancake desserts with the chefs.
What we needed: Almanack general manager Jordan Marr says: "On Shrove Tuesday we turned the usually rather sedate private dining room into a Pancake Fun Factory for the kids. We decorated the room and had two chefs on duty to help the children make their own pancakes to end their meal from the new kids' menu. We gave them chefs' hats to wear and provided a choice of toppings to go with their pancakes."
Business benefits: "Getting the kids involved meant we could show them and their parents the good things to eat and drink on the new children's menu.
By being offered tasters of more grown-up foods, the children tried things they might not otherwise have eaten," adds Marr. "Being able to make desserts was a fun, educational thing to do, plus ticket sales meant the event was partially self-financing."
Top tip: Once on board, families can prove extremely loyal customers.
Why do it: Encouraging youngsters to make their own pancakes shows the pub takes children's food seriously.
Race days
Where: White Horse, Bedford
The idea: Licensee Nigel Anstead says: "We're an active community pub, and aim to boost food sales on quiet days. Race-goers have to buy the package if they want to take our coach."
What we needed: "Towcester is 75 minutes' drive away, has free entry and doesn't require pre-booking. Race-goers turn up for a full English breakfast at 10.30am and return in time for supper at 7.30pm. We have one member of staff in the kitchen, two in the bar — and me running around looking busy."
Business benefit: "Our £25 package is great value, and covers the coach (£10), breakfast (£6) and supper (£9). A 55-seat coach costs £400, so our break-even number is 40. Last time we had 47. Everyone buys at least one drink at supper; we usually do 20 suppers, so we can triple that. We run it twice a year and have built up a core of race-goers."
Top tip: "We absorb costs if lunch staff tidy up after breakfast and one extra bar person works in the evening."
Why do it: It attracts regular participants and keeps the pub busier than usual.
