Pub Bitch: Tough breaks for industry bigwigs

Tough breaks

I would like to pass on all our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Brigid Simmonds, head girl at the British Beer & Pub Association, and to Tony Payne, former chief barker of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, both of whom suffered broken legs recently. Simmonds, a keen runner, was hit by a car while pounding the streets of the Spanish city of Barcelona. The identity of the driver is not known, but I'm assured all members of the GMB and Fair Pint were in the UK at the time of the accident.

Punch offers olive branch

Talking of Fair Pint, word reaches me that Fair Pint's leading light Karl Harrison could be extended an invitation to attend one of the several Punch Taverns roadshows due to take place later this year. The countrywide events, aimed at showcasing what the company can offer its lessees, were deemed a great success when they were held last year, with 2,000 Punch 'partners' attending. An invitation is apparently also going out to Lib Dem MP and arch-pubco critic Greg 'Please Can I Be Pubs Minister?' Mulholland, who will doubtless relish the chance to mix it with Punch's roadshow guests.

Princess of Lilliput

Great to see that the Princess Royal was on hand to officially open the National Brewing Centre in Burton last week. But judging by the puny sample of beer she had we won't be able to rely on the Royals to kick-start the beer industry. I'm not entirely sure whether the stingy serving was an attempt to comply with new drinks measure laws or whether HRH is simply one of those who prefers the grape to the grain.

Window shopping

The location of the imaginatively named Cheeky Blue Adult Shop, opposite Frederic Robinson's Unicorn Brewery in Stockport, has for some time been causing no end of embarrassment in the company's boardroom. In a recent incident, on being shown into the room a team of directors from one of the UK's largest wine and spirits companies were confronted with the shop's latest window display, which could be clearly seen through the boardroom's huge picture windows. "Spend £30 and get a free vibrating love ring!", screamed the signage above a thought-provoking arrangement of several posed blow-up dolls and other accoutrements for the, er, 'sexually adventurous'. The guests diplomatically shuffled their feet and admired the boardroom's splendid furniture while the various Robinsons directors rushed to close the blinds.

Catholic comedy

Fair play to Shepherd Neame for what was arguably the most ambitious attempt to link the recent papal visit to brewing. Britain's Oldest BrewerTM pondered whether Pope Benedict XVI would pop into a pub and "sample a cask version of one of his favourite British ales" during his trip. Apparently the Pope is "rather partial" to a drop of Spitfire and UK clergy regularly send him beermats at Easter and Christmas. Tongue, we assume, wedged firmly in his cheek, Sheps marketing manager Mark Miller said: "The Pope would not be the first German to down a Spitfire but he'd certainly be the most famous." Ha ha, d'you see what they did there? Another dig at the Germans, just like in their beer ads. Oh Lordy, my aching sides etc. Anyway, sadly it seems his Holiness did not make it into a pub, strangely preferring to visit churches and other places of worship.

Pic of the week

Nice to see the Railway Tavern in Blackheath, South London, looking to develop a new revenue stream (see pic, right).

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