Pub deliveries hit by Carlsberg computer glitch
Carlsberg told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser it had launched a new IT platform earlier this month and, as a result, some of its customers — including leased, managed and freehold accounts — experienced a “disrupted delivery service”, meaning slower ordering speeds, delayed and missed deliveries and delays with invoicing.
It said the situation improved last week, but licensees say they are still not receiving their stock on time and are worried about the effect it will have on trade.
'Disaster'
Punch Taverns tenant Sean Hughes, of the Boot in St Albans, Hertfordshire, said: “It has been an absolute disaster. We haven’t had a delivery for three weeks and yesterday [20 March] only half our order came. It’s bad for Punch but worse for us as we have to explain to customers that products aren’t available. It doesn’t look professional.”
Clive Roberts, of the Anchor Hotel in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, another Punch lessee, said Carlsberg told him it still could not guarantee when it could deliver his stock and, as a result, his area manager has given him permission to buy outside the tie.
“It is absolutely appalling,” he said. “I bought what we could get in the car but we had such a busy weekend here our stock is very low. We normally have 18 barrels in the cellar; there are five left.”
Inconvenience
Lee Sycamore, who owns the Old Market Inn in Holsworthy, Devon, said he was told by Carlsberg the computer system was not accepting any orders for wines or spirits and could deliver only half its core brand range.
“We had to buy all our spirits from another company, which obviously cost us more money. It’s only pennies but it’s the inconvenience of chasing it up,” he added.
Greene King, Admiral Taverns and Spirit Leased confirmed that some of their lessees have been hit and they are in talks with Carlsberg.
A Carlsberg UK spokesman said: “We have contacted many of those affected to apologise for the disruption and to reassure them that customer service is our top priority. We are working hard to deliver our usual high standards as quickly as possible.”
