What's in store for licensees in 2011?
Bill Sharp is licensees at Enterprise Inns owned pub the King's Arms in Bankside near the capital's London Bridge.
How was Christmas and New Year Trading?
We rely heavily on workers and commuters so we close for a large part of the Christmas and New Year period. However the run up to Christmas was awful because of all the bad weather. Lots of people just couldn't get in and worked from home. There will have been lots of parties at pubs cancelled.
Have you put your prices up?
With brewers putting up prices and the VAT increase we won't have any choice. We have swallowed a few price hikes but we can't keep doing it. The brewers have got to understand that the golden goose has not got any more eggs left to lay.
What are your expectations for 2011?
It is going to be a very tough year, especially for those on the edge, which I think is around 60 per cent of pubs.
Paul Barden owns freehouse and real ale haven the Guide Dog in Southampton. The pub is also popular with Southampton Football Club fans.
How was Christmas and New Year Trading?
We had a very good Christmas and New Year. It is always difficult to say how good compared to previous years but New Year's week was our best week ever. This was partly due to having two Southampton home games and the bank holiday.
Have you put your prices up?
We will put them up but I am trying to leave it until February. I had a price increase in October but people do understand with VAT going up to 20 per cent. I will probably end up putting an extra 10p on a pint.
What are your expectations for 2011?
I see no reason why it won't be as good as 2010. My customers are generally getting older, have paid their mortgages so I don't see that they are going to be that tightly squeezed.
Joe Cussens is the co-owner of the Marlborough Tavern in Bath, which won the British Food Pub of the Year at the Publican Food & Drink Awards.
How was Christmas and New Year Trading?
It was good, trade was slightly up on last year. The weather caused us a few problems early on but we are based in the city so were not as affected as other places.
Have you put your prices up?
We are reviewing our prices and we might eke a few up here and there but we are very aware of how competitive it is at the moment. With food we are looking at giving customers the same value while taking something out of the cost of dishes. For example we might use cherry tomatoes instead of a beef tomato which will save 20p a time.
What are your expectations for 2011?
I think it will be tough in the first quarter and then I am hoping it will get better. We tend to trade better in the summer anyway and the start of the year will be about managing cash flow carefully.
Marc Allinson is the freeholder of the Artful Dodger in York city centre.
How was Christmas and New Year Trading?
New Year was pretty good, much the same as last year but we were hit with the bad weather in the run-up to Christmas.
Have you put your prices up?
I have just set up a price calculator and I am going to have to put the price of a pint up by 20p because of the VAT and brewery price increases. I haven't put them up for a while so this is going to be a big hit.
What are your expectations for 2011?
I think it will be stagnant generally. At first it might be difficult but when people realise that things are not as bad as they are being made out I hope it will improve. I am also hoping to expand with another pub.
