The countdown is on for Proud of Pubs Week 2010 and this year we're throwing a party!
Once again it has been a tough year for the trade with duty hikes, more draconian legislation, industry in-fighting and hundreds of pub closures.
But it is time for the pub to fight back.
There are signs of confidence returning to the market and the World Cup is set to give pub tills a further boost.
And we want to encourage people to the pub by celebrating all of the things that are great about our trade.
We want licensees to get into the spirit of things by throwing Proud of Pubs parties at the start of the week - reminding everyone that the prime reason people go to the pub is simply to enjoy themselves.
The winner of The Publican's Pub of the Year title at this year's Publican Awards, the Wiremill in Lingfield, Surrey, has already vowed to get involved.
Co-owner Anthony Pender said: "We are happy to be celebrating Proud of Pubs Week. We find it is a good way of marking the things that people traditionally love, such as celebrating cask ale."
As well as increasing awareness about all the great things pubs have to offer, the week will also provide a range of ideas for licensees to drive their businesses forward.
As in previous years we will be spreading the word to MPs - and with hundreds of new politicians in power, getting that message across has never been more important.
In a new addition to this year's diary of events we are also encouraging pubs to try something different in our 'Day to Diversify'.
Pub is the Hub director John Longden will be providing tips in the run-up to the week.
He said: "The role of Pub is the Hub is to support licensees to diversify but also to get the message across to local authorities and other agencies of the good work that pubs do."
• Each week we will be looking at different ways of celebrating Proud of Pubs Week - next week, how to get your local MP into your pub.
Get involved!
We want pubs across the country to make the most of Proud of Pubs Week so we would love to hear how you plan to mark the occasion.
To get you started you can download a poster from the right hand side of this page.
In the run up we will also be providing details of how you can get your hands on our very own Proud of Pubs Summer Ale which has been brewed by The Celt Experience and is set to raise funds for our chosen charity WaterAid.
We will also be making merchandise - such as Proud of Pubs T-shirts, badges and beermats - available to licensees.
To let us know your Proud of Pubs Week plans and to register your interest in the event email proudofpubs@thepublican.com or call 020 7955 3714
Proud of Pubs Week Diary of events
Monday July 19
Proud of Pubs Party - Celebrate how great pubs are. Invite your locals and let the good times begin
Tuesday July 20
Raise funds for a great cause - We have been raising money for WaterAid, let us know how you will be supporting charitable causes
Wednesday July 21
Get web wise - Build your online community and make the web work for you
Thursday July 22
Day to Diversify - Try and add a new strand to your business
Friday July 23
Spread the word - Get your local MPs, newspaper reporters and celebrities in the pub and let them know how great you are!
See what happened during last year's Proud of Pubs Week.