Archives for August 31, 2005

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What the experts suggest...

Ann Elliott established Elliott Independent, a small marketing consultancy, in 2001 to offer advice to improve sales and profitability. She can be...

Olympic Theme sees Dan strike gold

Pub chef Dan Welstead of the Farmers in Sevenoaks, Kent, was a member of the winning team in this year's recently-announced Nestlé Toque d'Or...

Pub Chefs make their mark in contest

Three pub chefs have been highly commended in a competition to find the best dish using Worcester sauce. They are: Chris Bicknell, head chef, of the...

Europe tough as Diageo profits slide

Diageo has reported a fall in annual profits, as it tackles lower sales in a tough European market, and a continued decline in global RTD sales.The...

Plea for Blears to dump 'daft' ADZs

Eleven trade bodies unite to call for an end to the Home Office's plans for the 'unworkable zones by John Harrington Trade bodies have written a...

Takeover kings dive into a small pond

It's been argued in real ale circles that the aggressive takeover policies pursued by Greene King and Wolverhampton & Dudley should not be...

Soft Drinks - Going with the on-trade flow

By Martin Hartridge

Martin Hartridge, managing director of Hartridges Soft Drinks, offers his views on the soft-drinks market. Soft drinks seem to be low down on the...

The council time trap

I have spent the last week more or less permanently in front of the calendar, counting off days for the processing of licence applications. The...

The ale sales trail

How easy is it to sell ale into pubs? Jo de Mille went on the road with Deuchars and found it's like haggling in an Far Eastern bazaar Cask-ale...

Trade braced

for oil price backlash Licensees could be hit with higher than average increases in beer prices if the recent surge in petrol costs continues. Petrol...

Nuns and pub in hours compromise

A group of nuns has reached an uneasy compromise with Greene King over new opening hours for an Oxford pub. The nuns from the John Henry Newman...

At what price?

Isn't it time supermarkets cleaned up their act too? Adam Withrington looks at a summer of drinks discounting.Over the summer months The Publican...

Team work

Caledonian's managing director explains how cricket influences its work ethic.There might be a few uncharitable souls who would suggest that selling...

Thwaites' smash

hit With both serving up explosive deliveries, it was a match made in heaven. TONY HALSTEAD reports on the linkup between Lancaster Bomber and Andrew...

Microwaves - Micro Magic

By Danny Blyth

Technology is up and prices are down but what should pub chefs look for when selecting a microwave? Danny Blyth reports

Refurb for Tim Martin's first outlet

The pub in Muswell Hill that saw the launch of JD Wether- spoon 26 years ago has re-opened after a refurbishment. The Spoons pub, in Colney Hatch...

Opinion - Jo Bruce, Editor

By Jo Bruce

Time to acknowledge changing social mores At a friend's wedding recently the best man closed his speech by placing the groom's hand on top of his new...

Whitbread sees further pub sales dip

Whitbread has reported a further decline in like-for-like sales on its pub restaurants business, but says moves to revamp the business are having an...

Beer and Food - Cheese with Beer?

By Susan Nowak

Mention that combination to the uninitiated and you may raise the odd eyebrow, but as Sue Nowak reveals, the right match will tantalise the taste...

The last-chance saloon

Hosts are urged to get their applications in now so they don't miss out in November. Jo de Mille and Tony Halstead look at how councils are working...

The rising importance of origins

A recent survey on perceptions of beer authenticity made depressing reading... or did it, asks ANDREW JEFFORD How much do origins matter? To me, they...

Missing council deadline

Q We have a residential licence for this seaside hotel but unfortunately due to a misunderstanding we did not get our application to the council in...

Trengilly Wartha Inn - Facts n Stats

Trengilly Wartha Inn facts 'n' stats Covers per week: 500 to 700 during the summer, less in the winter Turnover: £700,000 GP: 58% Average food spend...

Brits on holiday fall

for our gastro pubs Gastro pubs look set to benefit from a boom in gastro tourism according to research from Food from Britain. Far from shunning...

Cheese - Golden Wonder

By Richard Fox

Whatever the variety, cheese has an amazing ability to bring a dish alive - but it doesn't always have to play second fiddle to the main act, says Richard Fox

Pub Classics - A Roast to Boast about

By Richard Fox

Sunday just wouldn't be Sunday without a roast on the menu. Richard Fox shares his tips on tweaking the dishes to perfection. Le Roast Beef may well...

French connection

With the Lydden Bell little more than 20 miles from France, it's not just Kentish fare making up the locally-sourced rustic menu. NIGEL HUDDLESTON...

'Confused' trade unites over ADZs

The licensed trade has repeated its calls for a serious rethink of alcohol disorder zones (ADZs) as the government draws up the final details of the...

Ridley's the tale of a dying brewery

Standing on the loading bay of Ridley's Brewery as the swallow flies in to feed its second lot of young, I wonder if, like us, this will be the last...

Soft Drinks - How to maximise sales

Licensees have realised that it is no longer enough to offer a "me-too" menu and that extra effort is needed to make their food stand apart from...

Time to tug those

Hart strings Kerry and Nigel Williams may have made a huge success of their Redditch bar and bistro, but can they do the same nearby at the rundown...

Entertainment: Success sounds

The 'two-in-a-bar' rule will make a swift exit when the new licensing laws are introduced. Phil Mellows looks at how you can benefit from live...

The stars' bar

Birmingham-born licensee Phil Elwell counts hundreds of celebrities as regulars at his Hollywood pub. But after 31 years, he's calling it a day....

National launch for Best Bar None

by John Harrington The Best Bar None (BBN) accreditation scheme is expected to be rolled out to about 50 towns and cities across Britain by April...

Business Ideas - Winning Ways

By Mark Taylor

In our regular new series, Mark Taylor discovers simple but effective methods that could give your business the edge Fish and Seafood Weekend Where:...

Entertainment: Carry on screening

It's now easier than ever to turn your pub into a movie theatre, says Phil Mellows.With cinemas now able to serve drinks, it's only right that pubs...

Licence conditions 'too standard'

Some time ago, when the statutory guidance to local authorities was published, I commented that certain councils would find it hard to break the...

Craft Talk - Smoking out clientele

By Richard Punshon

In this month's column, Craft Guild member Richard Punshon considers the imminent smoking ban and how it's likely to affect the trade. If the...

Rebel GK tenants seek

funds for beer-tie fight by Tony Halstead Rebel Greene King tenants are appealing for cash donations to keep alive their legal challenge to the...