Punch introduces licensee darts challenge for first time

Last year’s darts competition saw over 1,200 pubs take part, and the pub company said it is looking to make this year’s contests the most successful they have ever been.

As well as the singles and team competitions, the weekend festival of darts will for the first time include a licensee challenge and see the landlords of the finalist pubs going head to head to win £1,000 towards trade-building activity at their pub. The event will take place at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

The pub quiz will include local heats, regional finals and a national final at the Molineux Stadium in September, hosted by Mark Labatt, better known as The Beast from ITV’s The Chase.

Increasing footfall ​

Punch said it has seen year-on-year growth in both events, adding that the quiz and darts are great opportunities to promote footfall in pubs at times when trade may otherwise by slow.

Punch marketing manager Stephen Martin said: “As the competitions have developed, we have seen more and more of our pubs become engaged with what we have to offer, creating the world’s largest individual competitions - an accolade we are very proud of.

“Last year we had over 2,200 of our pubs register for the events, equating to 8,000 potential trade building evenings in pubs where customers will be drinking, eating and having an experience which will make them more likely to return.

“That kind of activity in pubs, the attractive nature of the prizes on offer, and the prestigious finals mean our partners keep taking part in greater numbers.”

Registration for both competitions is now open until 27 March via the Punch Taverns Buying Club website​ or via the Punch Taverns Contact Centre.