Derbyshire hosts win Shepherd Neame contest

Derbyshire hosts Geoff and Gina Mountain have had their rent paid for a year, plus a bit extra, after coming up trumps in a major promotion for Shepherd Neame's Spitfire ale.

The Punch lessees of the Three Horseshoes in Leabrooks, Derbyshire, ticked the right box in a game of chance today to win the top prize in the first stage of the Shepherd Neame's Operation Landlord campaign.

The prize was to have their rent paid for a year up to £30,000, but in the end a flat payment of £30,000 was given.

The Mountains' rent is £23,000, making the win all the more lucrative.

Spitfire is the only ale currently in stock at the Three Horseshoes, described by the licensees as a commnity local. The venue sells about three casks of it a week.

When asked what they plan to do with the money Geoff said they hadnt thought about it yet.

"We didn't want to tempt fate," he said. "I suppose ultimately it will be for our future. When we do decide to come out of the pub trade we know we don't have to rely on the strength of the pub to dictate if we have a comfortable life."

He added: "We have a rent review next year, hopefully that wont worry us now."

Geoff said they had increased trade by 40% in four years and hoped to add more cask ale, which he described as a "key ingredient to a good pub".

Gina described the win as "amazing and unbelievable".

The contest​

Licensees entered the contest by texting in a unique code on the back of casks. Geoff said he texted every time he got a new cask — about 20 texts in all.

The lucky draw, held at Shepherd Neame visitor center in Faversham today, involved licensees picking a box at random which revealed if they had won the top prize.

Geoff actually didn't have a choice which box he opened because a draw of lots dictated that he chose last.

Licensees of the 17 other pubs went away with £250 runner up prizes.

Operation Landlord is aimed at "giving landlords the ammunition to drive sales". Shepherd Neame sales and marketing director Graeme Craig said 3,000 texts were sent for the promotion which lasted four weeks. Licensees from as far afield as North Wales, Stockton-on-Tees and Great Yarmouth were represented among the final 18.

The next stage of Operation Landlord will see donations given to the RAF charity fund and Help for Heroes to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Craig said: "The whole point of Operation Landlord is to generate support at the trade level. We thought that to win your rent for a year is such a good hook, we will look to see how we can develop that.

"The key thing has to be focusing what is the best thing that can help the licensee."