Childrens' menu competition
Where: Noel Arms, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
The idea: Childrens' competition to design a new kids menu. Keen to rid the pub of its run-of-the-mill childrens' menu and to attract more families, executive head chef Damian Clisby organised a competition with the pupils from St James' and Ebrington C of E primary school to create their own menu. Damian says: "The remit was to design a 4/4/4 menu including a vegetarian option and fruit and vegetables that made the children want to eat them."
What we needed: "I visited the school to explain what we wanted and was involved in the judging process. We had the winning entry printed up in its entirety and now use it as our childrens' menu. Dishes include ghostly garlic bread cut into ghost shapes, wormy spaghetti, and cheeky chocolate cake."
Business benefits: "The children were invited to the pub with their parents and we have found that there has been a fair amount of repeat business. We also find that new customers are impressed by the menu when we explain its origins. The competition has created a link between the business and the school. I am now working on a new project to provide cookery demonstrations to pupils at this school and those at secondary school level."
Top tip: Original drawings on the menu will maximise appeal.
Pizza when the kitchen is closed
Where: Punch Partnerships (over 6,000 pubs)
The idea: Alan Todd, Punch catering development manager, says: "Historically, some pubs have only served food from 12-2pm and 6-8pm. Then you have landlocked pubs, which have no kitchens, but want to boost their revenue through food.
"Offering pizza in those kitchen down times, proactively selling the take out idea by going round at 10.30pm to ask if customers fancy a slice, is a great solution, especially when your average punter will visit a take-away after they've been out drinking.
"We offer Chicago Town Pizza as it is the UK's number one frozen branded pizza company and a retail offering that works for the licensed sector. Many of our pubs now offer it, buying a 12 inch pizza from our wholesalers and selling it for £1 a slice, easily."
Business benefits: "Selling pizza is a way for pubs to make a profit from back bar catering, requiring just one piece of equipment and a freezer, as an extended food operation that bar staff can easily cope with. Customers have a choice of 4 Cheese, Inferno, Pepperoni and Chicken Supreme."
What we needed: "This is about impulse purchasing, so our pubs needed a good support package
as well as great quality pizzas themselves. Chicago Town Pizza supplies point of sale material, from posters to beer mats, and there are equipment deals too. This offers a complete solution for pubs who want to implement something professionally and simply."
Top tip: "Sell pizza by the slice and have a glass warmer cabinet on the bar to tempt customers."
Family Fun Day and Scarecrow Competition
Where: Butchers Arms, Greens Norton, Northamptonshire
The idea: Family fun day and scarecrow competition. Keen to be involved in the local community, licensee Sarah Jones has been offering family fun day events on August bank holiday Sunday for the past six years. Sarah says: "The event has grown from year-to-year. We always offer a hog roast or a BBQ and lots of fun activities for the whole family. This year, for the first time, we had a scarecrow competition. Entries were displayed either in front gardens or on the village green and were judged in two categories; traditional and non-traditional."
What we needed: I asked my web designer to create a map of the village showing the route of a local walk with the scarecrows' locations on it. People came to the pub, had a drink and picked up the map, then did the walk and came back to the pub to vote on the entries. We advertised via posters in the pub, on our website and via an ad in the local paper which cost us £250."
Business benefits: "We received 24 entries for the scarecrow competition and everyone agreed that it should become an annual event. We were busy all day, particularly with our basket meals which we offered for £3.50. We trebled our usual Sunday take.
"The event drew in new customers who have since been back and by talking to them we have gained valuable feedback on both the service we offer in the pub and on our fun day. The competition in particular has become a big talking point within the village and people are already planning their entries for next year! On the back of our fun days I have also been asked to run and host the village Christmas market."
Top tip: Ensure your parish council supports the scheme for maximum village participation.